European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has vowed that “Putin will fail and Europe will prevail” in the war in Ukraine being raged by Russian despot Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Ms von der Leyen was speaking during her EU annual State of the Nation address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday morning.
The Commission President delivered a passionate speech to the packed parliament of MEPs in the french city where she gave Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the EU’s 100% backing again.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena, was present to hear the address.
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Ms von der Leyen said that the EU has already given an estimated €50billion in military support and €19billion in other aid to Ukraine so far.
Ms von der Leyen committed that this support would be “unfaltering” going forward.
The President also announced new funding of €100million for the repairs and rebuilding of Ukrainian schools damaged by Russian bombing and raids.
Ms von der Leyen said: “Let us be very clear, much is at stake here.
“Not just for Ukraine – but for all of Europe and the world at large.
“And we will be tested.
“Tested by those who want to exploit any kind of divisions between us.
“This is not only a war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.
“This is a war on our energy, a war on our economy, a war on our values and a war on our future.
“This is about autocracy against democracy.
“And I stand here with the conviction that with courage and solidarity, Putin will fail and Europe will prevail.”
The EU’s top diplomat added: “Half a million Ukrainian children have started their school year in the European Union.
“But many others inside Ukraine simply don't have a classroom to go to.
“So today I am announcing that we will work with the First Lady to support the rehabilitation of damaged Ukrainian schools.
“And that is why we will provide 100 million euros.
“Because the future of Ukraine begins in its schools.”
Ms von der Leyen also spoke about the energy crisis, which is being directly affected by the ongoing Russian invasion.
She said that there will be a unified European response that could see windfall taxes wielding up to €140billion from the energy companies returned to households all over Europe.
“In our social market economy, profits are good.
“But in these times it is wrong to receive extraordinary record profits benefiting from war and on the back of consumers.
“In these times, profits must be shared and channelled to those who need it the most.
“Our proposal will raise more than 140 billion euros for Member States to cushion the blow directly.
“And because we are in a fossil fuel crisis, the fossil fuel industry has a special duty, too.
“Major oil, gas and coal companies are also making huge profits.
“So they have to pay a fair share – they have to give a crisis contribution.”
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