The head of the BE list for Europeans, Katarina Martins, and the bloc’s coordinator, Mariana Mortagua, said this Monday that Ukraine must have the means to defend itself, but warned that the war “is not a ‘cowboy’ movie.”
These are the positions the leaders of the two blocs defended in statements to journalists after minor unrest in Moscavide, Lisbon district, when asked about the official visit that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make to Portugal on Tuesday.
“We cannot say that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and leave Ukraine without the means to defend itself. The withdrawal of Russian troops so that there is peace on European territory, and the European Union must have strategic autonomy and a stronger voice in this matter,” said 9 June Katharina Martins, “number one” BE for Europeans.
Katarina Martins said that “there are those who like to talk about war as if it were a game on a video console,” but stressed that people are dying in conflicts, “especially in Ukraine, and that is why clear principles are needed.”
“Support should be aimed at protecting Ukraine, the path should be peaceful negotiations demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops. The war is too serious to be a propaganda game,” he said.
Moments later, BE coordinator Mariana Mortagua confirmed criticism of the European election candidate and former Bloc leader.
“I wanted to condemn the lie uttered today by the President of the Liberal Initiative, Rui Rocha, who said that BE wants a negotiated peace with Russia or a peace that was somehow conditioned by the will of Putin and his intentions in the Territory. This is a lie, the position of BE remains unchanged with from the very beginning of the invasion, protecting the integrity of the territory of Ukraine and the policy of peace,” Mariana Mortagua emphasized.
The coordinator added that “you will not hear from BE statements that war is a game, that it is a cowboy movie, that it is an action movie that is shown on television.”
“This is not true, people’s lives are at risk and that is why we need a reasonable voice in the European Union, a voice that will be firm in defending peace, the path to peace and that will not embark on an irresponsible, militaristic escalation that has consequences for everyone. starting with the people of Ukraine,” he said.
During the election campaign, the President of IL considered the visit of Vladimir Zelensky as part of the election campaign for the European elections as a “great opportunity” for the Portuguese to reflect.
According to Rui Rocha, there are parties such as IL that clearly support Ukraine and the importance of resisting and winning the war, which is the “right way”, but there are others who argue that this country should give in to Russia’s claims, that ” frankly undesirable.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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