Stakes can’t be higher: outcome of Ukraine talks will shape world’s future — NATO PA President

Espreso correspondent Kateryna Halko reported the information.

“In February 2022, the world entered a new era,” Perestrello stated at the beginning of his speech.

He recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expected to quickly establish a puppet regime in Ukraine, destroy Ukrainian identity, and redraw the map of Europe. However, these plans failed.

“We were unprepared, but we should have been ready. Fortunately, Ukraine did not fall into the abyss. It stood firm. Inspired by Ukraine’s incredible resistance, we Europeans quickly caught up,” the PA President added.

Perestrello emphasized that the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has stood side by side with Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, supporting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defense.

Resistance to the Russian invasion

The President of the NATO PA noted the “iron will” of Ukrainians to resist the Russian invasion, despite missile attacks, including those in Kyiv last week.

“I want to honor the memory of all the fallen heroes of Ukraine and pay tribute to all the men and women in uniform and all Ukrainian citizens who confront Russian aggression every day,” he said.

Perestrello also expressed gratitude to the members of the Verkhovna Rada, who “remain incredible ambassadors of Ukraine throughout this war.”

“The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has stood with you and with Ukraine from day one. We were one of the first international organizations to expel Russia in April 2014 and one of the first to support the Crimea Platform. We were the first group from NATO institutions to visit Ukraine after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We mobilized political support and military aid in our parliaments and created a special fund to assist the Verkhovna Rada and democracy in Ukraine,” he recalled.

Russia bears full responsibility for its aggression

In his speech, the PA President stressed that Russia bears full responsibility for its illegal and unprovoked aggression, which has led to massive destruction and loss of life. He also condemned the support for aggression from Belarus, North Korea, Iran, and China.

“The Russian regime and the perpetrators of crimes must be held accountable for their actions. We strongly condemn the assistance provided to Russia’s aggression by the regimes of Belarus, North Korea, Iran, and China. From the very beginning, we have made it clear that this war is not just about Ukraine. It will determine the world in which we and our children will live,” Perestrello added.

Support for Ukraine and peace negotiations with Russia

Perestrello emphasized that this war is not only Ukraine’s problem but a global one.

“By supporting Ukraine, we are defending our own security and our shared democratic values. We are committed to supporting Ukrainian democracy and Ukraine’s right to choose its own path, including NATO membership,” he added.

According to him, the PA delegation’s visit is taking place at a “decisive and difficult moment” for Ukraine, as peace negotiations are currently underway.

“The stakes could not be higher. We support all efforts aimed at ending the war, and we highly appreciate Ukraine’s repeated willingness to demonstrate openness to discussing the outlines of a just and lasting peace,” the PA President emphasized. “We are at a crossroads on the path to a diplomatic solution. But we must soberly assess these stakes. The outcome of any negotiations regarding Ukraine will set a precedent for global security. Russia is watching, but so are Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang. What happens in Ukraine will affect their calculations and determine our future.”

“Now we know what Putin is capable of”

In his view, no decisions about Ukraine “can be made without Ukraine.”

“Weakness or concessions today could open the door to further aggression tomorrow. Now we know what Putin is capable of, and we know that his ambitions go far beyond Ukraine. I repeat: you were unprepared when this war began. To be caught off guard once may be naivety. Not to be ready a second time would be foolishness,” Perestrello noted.

On Tuesday, April 29, a delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, led by President Marcos Perestrello, visited Kyiv for the third time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Attempts at dialogue with Russia

The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly noted that for many years, NATO and Europe “made sincere efforts for honest dialogue with Russia,” relying on partnership and economic ties. However, all these attempts were met with “only resistance, deception, and aggression.”

“In 2010, NATO’s strategic concept envisaged partnership with Russia, and in 2014, Russia occupied Crimea. Moreover, the democratic West sought to strengthen peace by deepening economic relations with Russia, particularly through energy partnership. In 2022, Putin tried to seize Kyiv,” he emphasized.

“The only path to peace is through strength”

According to Perestrello, to achieve peace in Ukraine, negotiations with Russia must be conducted from a position of strength.

“It seems obvious that the only path to peace is through strength. Our democratic states must demonstrate that democracies are stronger not only because we have the moral high ground, but also because we have the ability to deter, defend, and help our friends resist aggression,” he stressed.

Steps toward establishing a just peace

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly outlined several necessary steps to strengthen Ukraine and establish peace.

“First, we must continue to help Ukraine meet its urgent needs, give Ukraine the resources to defend itself, its cities, and its people. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger it will be at the negotiating table,” he emphasized.

In addition, according to him, the priority for Ukraine’s allies “must be to ensure that Europe, the US, and Ukraine work together to establish a just and lasting peace, backed by strong security guarantees to which everyone must commit.”

In his opinion, Europe must mobilize and demonstrate that it is ready “to take the initiative in guaranteeing lasting peace within the framework of a future agreement.”

“Fourth, I hope that the Hague Summit will confirm that NATO will continue to play its full role, coordinating assistance and training through the new command in Wiesbaden, which our NATO PA members and representatives of the Verkhovna Rada visited last week,” he added.

The PA President also noted the importance of Ukraine’s allies fulfilling the commitments made in Washington, increasing the compatibility of Ukraine’s Armed Forces with NATO, supporting the defense industry, and keeping the door open for Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.

“I am determined to ensure that our Assembly continues to support Ukraine now, at this critical moment, and in the long term—through strong political statements, continued mobilization of aid, and supporting all of you and your work in the Verkhovna Rada,” he concluded.

• The administration of Donald Trump proposed a plan to Kyiv to end the war, which includes renouncing NATO membership and recognizing Crimea as part of Russia. These proposals have been sharply criticized by the EU.