Anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine
Two years have elapsed since the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, inflicting inconceivable suffering on the country’s people. Today, our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives, family members, friends and homes. But also with all those brave Ukrainian men and women who stand up against the Russian aggressors. The resilience of the people of Ukraine is admirable and deserves our greatest respect. For two years now, Ukraine has not only been defending its own country against the brutal Russian war of aggression, but also our values, European security and the international order. Helping Ukrainians to ensure their self-defense is investing in Europe’s security: It remains a major task for the entire international community and we reiterate our unwavering determination to help Ukraine defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Consequently, over the past two years, the EU countries, including Germany and France, have provided robust support to Ukraine – political, diplomatic, economic, financial and also in the field of military supply and equipment, as well as humanitarian aid. We must continue to carry out this support to enable Ukraine to withstand the aggression and restore its sovereignty. This is the meaning of the agreements signed by France and Germany with Ukraine in recent days. These texts provide for long-term backing in every aspect of this wide range of topics.
There is no question that we all want this brutal war to end as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there is no sign that Russia would be prepared to agree to a lasting and just peace. On the contrary, it is sticking relentlessly to its war objectives – as its president stated quite clearly again recently. Our message, therefore, is crystal-clear: Germany and France, together with their EU and NATO partners, will not let up in their support for Ukraine: We stand firmly shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ukrainians.
Furthermore, Europe is being targeted by all-out hybrid actions undertaken by Russia – consisting of disinformation, cyberattacks and political interference to trigger divisions, especially in the context of the upcoming electoral period of 2024, both in several countries and at the EU level. In this context, France, Germany and Poland have agreed to implement a Weimar Alert and Reaction Program to combat manipulations and foreign interference as well as to mobilize the EU to obtain from online platforms more effective measures.
Tomorrow, as yesterday and today, France and Germany will stand in support for Ukraine to help it secure the respect of its sovereignty, but also of international law and European values. We will constantly work with Ukraine to meet its needs in this regard as well as to implement the ultimate goal of ensuring its accession to the EU.
Andreas Kindl is Germany’s ambassador to Greece and Laurence Auer is France’s ambassador to Greece.
