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[WATCH] Metsola: ‘Severe, swift Russia sanctions must leave nobody off the table’
“We can be no longer under any illusion – this attack goes right to the heart of a European model of a democratic society. Putin wants to divide Europe because he fears openness, accountability and freedom”
Last updated on 24 February 2022, 9:23pm
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
2 min read
Roberta Metsola attended the European Council meeting convened on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 24 February 2022
European Parliament president Roberta Metsola has called the invasion of Ukraine an attempt to destabilise Europe, and said that “no attack in Europe by Russia will go unanswered.”
Metsola met European leaders on Thursday evening, saying that the European Parliament’s position was for new, swift and severe sanctions against Russia, as well as increased assistance to Ukraine, and European readiness to absorb a humanitarian suffering.
“We would like the strongest possible sanctions to go out tonight,” Metsola said when asked specifically whether these sanctions should include those relating to energy, Russia being a major gas supplier.
Metsola said the sanctions “should leave nobody off the table”.
“Our shields must be our fundamental principles… we did not start a new war on our continent. Confronted by this brutal provocation, we must show the world that the right thing to do is also the sensible thing to do… the price [to pay] must be extraordinary.”
Earlier before meeting Council heads of state, the EP president could not answer as to the prospect of dealing with a new Ukrainian president that might be installed by Vladimir Putin as Russian forces launch attacks from various quarters.
“What we stand for is unity, and solidarity, because this brutal aggression is aimed at trying to destroy and divide Europe. It is based on lies, disinformation and deception, without any reality-based justification,” Metsola told journalists ahead of a European Council meeting of prime ministers.
“We can be no longer under any illusion – this attack goes right to the heart of a European model of a democratic society. Putin wants to divide Europe because he fears openness, accountability and freedom.... this is Europe’s strength, and what keeps us united.”
At the doorstep of the Council meeting, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki said the EU should launch “massive, severe sanctions on Putin and Russia”, as well as strengthen Nato’s eastern flank to prevent further aggressions from the Russian Federation.
“We have to be strong and united... we are buying lots of Rurssian gas and oil and Putin is taking the money from us and turning it into aggression, invasion, destabilising the whole of Europe.
“He has invaded an independent country and threatened the territorial integrity of a county in Europe. He has to stop.”
This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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