“If Ukraine were to fall, we would see aggression against other countries on the border with Russia and this would lead – as happened in the last century between 1938 and 1939 – to a general and devastating conflict”: this is why it is so necessary to maintain European cohesion, because this is the only way to avoid the danger of a “world conflict”. Sergio Mattarella calls for order in the Ukraine dossier, noting that in Europe, but also in Italy, small cracks are widening, signs of natural weariness in the support of citizens and politicians for the actions of the Kiev government. The president spoke about it “openly and freely” at the Arrajolos summit, which brought together 13 non-executive heads of state from the European Union in Porto.
Video Mattarella in Porto for the Arrajolos Group summit
The president’s concern is evident, even leading him to recall one of the darkest periods of the 20th century, which led to World War II. “It is sad to see so many lives lost, so much destroyed, and huge financial resources burned on armaments, but what we are doing protects world peace,” the President began. To then declare that all the heads of state gathered in Porto hope “that as soon as possible the conditions are created for a process that leads to peace in Ukraine: a just peace that is not transitory and that takes into account Kiev’s sovereignty. The President then devotes a lot of space to his reflections on European integration, which he now sees as increasingly indispensable in responding to military and economic challenges. For Mattarella, there is a need for a “leap in quality on the integration front”. “We can’t.” A longer escape from the imposed decisions: We would deprive the EU of the prospect of protagonistism. And we will hardly make all our countries relevant. “We can no longer wait for the essential decisions that the President lists: majority decisions, an effective foreign policy, a parliament with authentic decision-making tasks and the completion of the financial architecture.” It is ambitious work that requires vision and foresight. But it is a passage without proof of appeal. “This will not happen a second time,” he added, capping a summit that did not fail to highlight the divisions that exist in Europe on the eve of the European elections. So much so that it prompted him to ask A rhetorical question that shows a widespread lack of perspective: In June, 440 million citizens will vote, but why are we calling over 400 million voters to vote? vote on what? This great exercise of democracy must take place on a European structure that has an effective decision-making mechanism.” Meanwhile, continental divisions have also emerged in Porto, as the words of Polish President Andrzej Duda confirm on the agreement on migrants: “We.” have a hybrid one Suffered by war, migrants pushed towards the EU and Schengen borders that we must protect. We must make the EU’s borders more effective. If you want to see how our model works, if you want to see how our borders work, come to Poland. That’s what our people want.” Or that of Hungarian President Katalin Novak: “We support Ukraine, but I represent the Hungarian people, and the Hungarian people want peace and prevent the escalation of the conflict.” These are not linguistic nuances .
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