unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Andrius Kubilius
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, today we need to understand that Russia under Putin is a declining post-imperial power. Russia under Putin is a desperate new ‘sick man of Europe’. Internally Putin is afraid of Navalny, externally, he’s afraid of the example of success of a democratic Ukraine. Authoritarian Russia under Putin is the biggest threat to security on our continent. Putin will not change himself. Threats to Ukraine will continue during the years to come, because this is the way the Kremlin aims to weaken the Ukrainian economy. Future of democracy in Russia, not a dialogue with autocratic Putin, is a long-term goal for a  new security architecture in Europe. Strong and able to defend itself, Ukraine will deter Kremlin aggression, since only the weakness of its opponents is provoking Putin for further threats and aggression. That is why the West must invest in the political, military and economic success of Ukraine. EU integration is the only way to create such a successful democratic Ukraine, for that purpose, the EU should put forward for Ukraine a new process of accelerated reintegration beginning with integration into the EU single market. Such an integration strategy for Ukraine is the most effective long-term strategy to deter Russia. European integration and Western unity is a unique European instrument to keep long-term peace on the European continent.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Sven Mikser
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Mr President, we have said always that we support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And inevitably, the notion of sovereignty includes a country’s right to choose its own alliances. Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations are fully legitimate, no threat to anyone, and their realisation must be conditional only on Ukraine’s performance, not a third-country veto.  Russia’s massive military build-up on Ukraine’s borders has brought our continent closer to a large-scale military conflict than at any time since the end of the Cold War. It’s only natural that we want to de-escalate the situation, but we must act in a way that will really result in de-escalation. Appeasing the bully or consigning to her more territorial control will not bring about sustainable de-escalation. In fact, it would only give the aggressor a signal that the intimidation tactic works.  What we need is a strong collective deterrent posture by the community of democratic nations. Deterrence is not by nature escalatory. Its aim is to discourage the potential aggressor by changing her calculus, by delivering an unambiguous message that the cost of waging an act of aggression far outweighs any benefit it might be expected to bring. I do believe that President Putin is a rational player who will not rush into a conflict that is bound to bring him more pain than gain.  A strong deterrent posture consists of two main parts. The first is a clear and united message to Russia that a new aggression will result in a decisive response from the international community. Inevitably, that response must include a package of crippling sanctions.  The second part is bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Again, I want to stress that a more confident Ukraine with stronger defensive capabilities will reduce, not increase, the likelihood of a new aggression by Russia. We must be strong and united. It may appear to some that doing nothing is a peaceful act. In reality, nothing is further from the truth.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Bernard Guetta
Political group: Renew
Country: Austria
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Haut Représentant, mes chers collègues, sachons voir nos succès. Ne le faisons pas pour humilier quiconque et moins encore pour nous en enivrer, mais faisons-le pour prendre enfin conscience de notre force. Unis comme jamais entre partenaires européens et entre alliés américains et européens, nous avons donné à réfléchir à M. Poutine. Il a dû peser les risques des sanctions, de l’isolement et surtout d’un tête-à-tête avec la Chine, tête-à-tête tellement contraire aux intérêts de la Russie. Il reparle maintenant de diplomatie, de négociations et de quête d’une entente. Eh bien, Monsieur Poutine, nous y sommes prêts. Parlons sécurité, mais ne parlons pas que de vos supposées inquiétudes. Parlons aussi des faits, de vos ingérences, de vos concentrations de troupes, de votre refus de laisser vos voisins choisir leur destin et leurs alliés. Rassurez-nous, Monsieur Poutine. Rassurez vos voisins, conservez leur amitié en respectant leur liberté, au lieu d’en faire des adversaires, en les menaçant et en aidant, comme au Bélarus, à les opprimer. Rassurez-vous aussi, Monsieur Poutine, puisque vous auriez des inquiétudes: nous n’aspirons qu’à la paix, à la stabilité et à la coopération. Entre partenaires et alliés, nous devons maintenant nous consulter et finaliser des propositions à vous faire. Nous serons prêts; mais la paix, une paix durable, dont bénéficierait notre continent commun, c’est à vous, Monsieur Poutine, d’en ouvrir la voie.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Sergey Lagodinsky
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, the one positive thing about this week is that we are talking, but history will judge us only if we think beyond short-term. Yes, in the short-term, we have to overcome the current crisis and talking and negotiating, especially the tough negotiations that we are experiencing is a great, great step forward.  But what about the mid-term? How do we make sure that we have a sustainable solution and we do not allow Russia to repeat its threatening posture vis-à-vis Ukraine and its other neighbours again and again and again?  We must make clear that we can only return to business as usual if Russia will cease its propaganda crusade against Ukraine, its threats against Ukraine and its lies against Ukraine – just as we heard the lie about an alleged genocide or discrimination of Russian speakers, which are not true.  We have to do everything possible that the blackmail that we are experiencing will not be repeating itself. And yes, we must start thinking about how to develop the Minsk Agreement beyond the mantra that we have been repeating so far, because we need a tool that is effective in the mid-term and in the long-term we will have to engage with Russia where we can, but we must disengage where we must, and we must disengage also in the energy area. That’s why Nord Stream 2 is not part of sanctions. Nord Stream 2 is unacceptable no matter what.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Harald Vilimsky
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Herr Präsident! Meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren, wenn wir heute das Ukraine-Russland-Thema erörtern, wäre es aus meiner Sicht auch hilfreich, sich das Jahr 2003 zurück in Erinnerung zu rufen – das Jahr 2003, wo nämlich der damalige US-Präsident Bush, der damalige US-Verteidigungsminister Powell und der britische Premier Blair die Weltöffentlichkeit belogen haben und in den Irakkrieg hineingetrieben haben. Erinnern wir uns auch zurück an das Jahr 2014 nach dem Maidan, wo hier die Ukraine neu geordnet wurde und der Sohn des damaligen US-Vizepräsidenten Biden, nämlich Hunter Biden, in den Aufsichtsrat von Burisma, eines der größten ukrainischen Energiekonzerne, gehievt wurde und die US-Amerikanerin Jaresko, glaube ich, im Expressverfahren umgebürgert wurde und am Abend desselben Tages dann Ukrainerin war und Finanzministerin wurde. Es geht hier immer um Geschäftsinteressen, und auch hier hat der aktuelle Konflikt aus meiner Sicht den Geruch von veritablen Geschäftsinteressen. Ich möchte als Österreicher zusätzlich anmerken, dass ich aus einem Land komme, das der Neutralität verpflichtet ist, und ich Russen wie Amerikaner gleichsam mag und hier nur ein Ziel vor Augen habe: Frieden in Europa langfristig zu sichern. Aber ich glaube nicht, dass, wenn wir als Europäer hier zum Spielball zwischen US-amerikanischen und russischen Interessen werden, das auch wirklich gedeihlich für den europäischen Kontinent und diese Union und diese Europäische Gemeinschaft ist. Aus meiner Sicht wäre hilfreich, diesen Konflikt zu lösen ohne Beteiligung der US-Amerikaner, die mit Sicherheit – und ich spreche die beiden Administrationen an – eine Provokation nach der anderen gesetzt haben, wo klar war, dass hier die NATO-Osterweiterung in der Form nicht stattfindet und die NATO dann trotzdem von 15 auf fast 30 Mitgliedstaaten erweitert wurde. Ich schlage eine tripolare Konferenz zwischen den Europäern, den Russen und den Ukrainern vor, um hier dauerhaft Frieden abzusichern und uns nicht länger zum Spielball geopolitischer Finanzinteressen zu machen.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Mr President, Putin’s Russia supporting ethnic cleansing, then self-determination, using hybrid war, political corruption and energy blackmail against the West, killing opponents on our territories. The aggressor, always pre-empting non-existent strikes in its propaganda. We have to stay united and firm. I stand by Ukraine. They know it. I stand by the people of Belarus and free Georgian society. The European Parliament should reiterate its long-standing position on Nord Stream 2: to halt it immediately. Not in case – immediately, because it is a very bad project, and the message sent at this dangerous time to Russia may be very bad, with dilution of our position.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Marc Botenga
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: NL

Maar stel u even voor wat er zou gebeuren als China of Rusland straks honderden miljoenen, miljarden zou mobiliseren om Mexico in zijn invloedssfeer te krijgen. Hoe zouden de Verenigde Staten reageren? Denk daar even over na. Destijds besefte Europa dat. Tot voor kort beseften we dat de neutraliteit van Oostenrijk of Finland belangrijk was. Vandaag bent u die lessen vergeten. U wilt Oekraïne in de NAVO integreren en dat leidt tot conflict. Onderhandel. Stop met die uitbreiding van de NAVO. Onderhandel en creëer een gezamenlijke architectuur voor vrede in Europa.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Miroslav Radačovský
Political group: NI
Country: Italy
Language: SK

Pán predsedajúci, je dňa 16. 2. 2022, útok na Ukrajinu sa nekoná a to je dobre. Nevieme, čo bude poobede. Včera 15. 2. 2022 veľvyslanec Ukrajiny v parlamente Slovenskej republiky uviedol, čítam: „Ukrajina nemá žiadne informácie o útoku Ruska na Ukrajinu, tak ako o tom hovoria predstavitelia Spojených štátov“,  ďalej pokračuje „takéto vyhlásenia Spojených štátov stoja Ukrajinu pol miliardy dolára každý deň“. Mohol by niekto upozorniť našich amerických priateľov, že dezinformácie nie sú dobré. Nenávisť medzi politikmi sa pomaly prenáša na nenávisť medzi národmi, a toto nie je dobré. Veľký syn poľského národa, pápež Ján Pavol II, 22. 4. 1990 pri návšteve Československa uviedol, čítam: „Studená vojna skončila. Nikto by nemal byť porazený a nikto víťazom, pretože takéto delenie na víťaza a porazeného môže viesť opätovne k nenávisti medzi Východom a Západom“. Ján Pavol II ďalej uvádza „zdravé telo dýcha oboma pľúcami, aj pravými aj ľavými. Pokiaľ je jedna strana pľúc chorá, choré je celé telo“. Ja ako konzervatívny politik sa riadim slovami veľkého syna poľského národa a som za diplomatické riešenie týchto problémov.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: David McAllister
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Mr President, as many colleagues from different political groups have underlined this morning, the current escalating tensions and the threat of unprecedented military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine are indeed not only targeting Ukraine but also threatening the rules-based international order and threatening Europe as a whole. And this is why we must stand together in this crucial moment. As the European Parliament, we will not waver in our support of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognised borders. Ukraine has a sovereign right to choose its international alliances freely. The Russian Federation must cease its military threat against Ukraine and immediately, as well as fully, withdraw its forces and military equipment from the border of Ukraine. Any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive and unprecedented consequences and severe costs in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with our international partners. It is on the Kremlin to de-escalate and to engage constructively through established mechanisms. The double track of diplomatic engagement and deterrence remains key to solving the current situation. A final remark: following Monday’s vote to apply an urgent procedure, we are now, this noon, set to give the green light to an emergency EUR 1.2 billion loan to Ukraine to cover its external financing needs in 2022. This demonstrates our solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz
Political group: S-D
Country: Ireland
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Niezależnie od tego, jak skończy się obecny kryzys wywołany przez Rosję groźbą inwazji na Ukrainę, najwyższy czas, by z tej kolejnej lekcji wyciągnąć wnioski. Rosja od kilkunastu lat prowadzi awanturniczą politykę zagraniczną, nieustannie zaskakując inne kraje, zwłaszcza zachodnie, swoimi działaniami. Inicjatywa jest zawsze po jej stronie, a to skazuje naszą politykę na reaktywność. Jeśli dodamy do tego dość powszechny oportunizm dyktowany interesami finansowymi i gospodarczymi, a także chęcią odsuwania od siebie kłopotów, jeśli przyprawimy tę mieszankę nieznajomością Rosji i naiwnością sugerującą, że zawsze można jakoś się porozumieć, otrzymamy w efekcie politykę nieskuteczną, traktowaną przez Rosję z pogardliwym lekceważeniem.  Po raz pierwszy deklarowana przez Zachód reakcja na ewentualną agresję Rosji zawiera zagrożenie rzeczywiście poważnymi i kosztownymi sankcjami, których pan Putin nie może nie uwzględnić w rachunku strat i zysków. Moim zdaniem należy pójść dalej i wiarygodnie zagrozić interesom skorumpowanych elit. Europa musi też energicznie dążyć do uniezależnienia się od dostaw rosyjskich surowców energetycznych. Kraj, który łamie prawo międzynarodowe, ograbia sąsiadów z części ich terytorium, odwołuje się w swojej polityce do brutalnej siły zbrojnej, korumpuje partię i polityków w naszych krajach, prowadzi intensywną kampanię kłamstw w przestrzeni cyfrowej, nie może być traktowany jako wiarygodny partner. Bezpieczeństwo naszego systemu energetycznego nie może zależeć od kaprysu autokratycznego przywódcy Rosji. Czas na własną inicjatywę, na działanie kompleksowe i wspólne. Dziś pilnie pomagajmy Ukrainie. Jutro poważnie zastanówmy się, jak wyeliminować przyczyny naszej bezradności wobec zagrożeń ze strony awanturniczego do sąsiada.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Political group: Renew
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Madam President, a lot has been said already, and for me it’s very clear: if we want to become a real geopolitical player, we need to get our act together by making ourselves less reliant on the Russian gas supply, by building a shield against Russian attacks and, most importantly, by setting up a real European Defence Union. We have to believe in the power of Europe. But what really worries me, Mr Borrell, is that Putin does not want to speak to Europe. He simply refused, and we allowed him to. Last week, President Macron was in Moscow and yesterday, Chancellor Scholz was in Moscow, but actually it should have been Europe at that long table. We would be much stronger if we talked to Russia – if you talked to Russia, Mr Borrell, on behalf of Europe – with one voice, and I’m sure, Mr Borrell, you agree with that.  That is why I have three questions, Mr Borrell. Have you been in contact with the leadership of Germany and France? Can you confirm they have presented Putin with a common EU front? And can you confirm they have not given Mr Putin an inch?
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Bronis Ropė
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Austria
Language: LT

Ačiū gerb. Pirmininke, gerbiami kolegos. Kremlius ir toliau kelia karinius konfliktus, vykdo politiškai motyvuotus žudymus, naikina demokratijos likučius savo šalyje, galiausiai imasi spaudimo priemonių dujų kainų manipuliacijomis, o sankcijų šešėlyje generuoja milžiniškus pelnus iš eksporto. V. Putinas nori nuspręsti, kokią ateitį turi pasirinkti suverenios šalys. Noriu tiesiai paklausti: kodėl taip yra? Dėl to, kad Europa vis stengiasi laviruoti, nes yra priklausoma nuo Rusijos resursų. Kada Europa iš tiesų žada užsitikrinti strateginę autonomiją ir turėti galimybę ne žodžiais, o veiksmingai sprendimais kovoti su priešiškais ES režimais? Tegyvuoja Ukraina.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Peter Kofod
Political group: ID
Country: Poland
Language: DA

Fru Formand! Flere talere før mig har jo allerede understreget den alvorlige situation, som vi befinder os i lige nu. En situation, hvor der er en risiko for, at det kan blive værre. Jeg vil gerne starte med at udtrykke min dybe sympati og støtte til Ukraine. For det bør selvfølgelig altid være sådan, at et land har muligheden for at vælge sin egen skæbne og sin egen fremtid, uanset hvad naboerne rundt om måtte synes om det. Og det gælder selvsagt også Ukraine. Jeg synes, det væsentligste for Europas sikkerhed og forsvar, det er vores alliance med amerikanerne og med briterne. Det er vores samarbejde i NATO-regi, som jeg meget gerne ser opprioriteret, men det er selvfølgelig en opgave, der ligger hjemme i vores egne lande, at tage sig af det. Men hvor havde Europa været den dag i dag, hvis det ikke havde været for amerikanerne, og hvis det ikke havde været for briterne? Den alliance er så hamrende vigtig, og i denne situation faktisk vigtigere måske end nogensinde før.  Jeg er også nødt til at sige, at det undrer mig, at man i Tyskland har fået den idé, at man kan skille energipolitik fra andre politiske områder. At man tror, man kan tale energi på den ene side, og at det ikke har indflydelse på sikkerhedspolitik og på udenrigspolitik, for det har det selvfølgelig. Ting hænger sammen. Og i denne tid, særligt nu, hvor energi er så dyrt, som det er, så har det selvfølgelig også en enorm betydning, hvem man har tænkt sig at gøre sig uafhængige af i de næste mange, mange år. Det har den amerikanske præsident også for nylig påpeget over for den nye tyske kansler.  Jeg håber, at man i Tyskland vil tage en bredere debat om Nordstream 2, fordi det er, i mine øjne, fuldstændig umuligt at forestille sig, at man kan skille energipolitik fra udenrigspolitik.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Hermann Tertsch
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, la debilidad produce monstruos y la debilidad europea, sumada ahora al caos y a la debilidad del Gobierno actual de los Estados Unidos, han invitado a Putin a mostrar su peor rostro. Ya tuvimos el primer capítulo de este drama bajo Obama, cuando se dejó atropellar sus líneas rojas en Siria y tuvimos, como consecuencia directa, Crimea. La debilidad, como digo, produce monstruos y hay que parar a Putin allá donde está. Su amenaza no es a Ucrania solo. Su amenaza es a toda Europa y, sobre todo, a toda la Europa oriental: a Polonia, a Lituania, a todo el Báltico, a Bulgaria y a Rumanía. Hay que decirle a Putin que no puede amenazar a países que están reconocidos internacionalmente, uno de los cuales lo tiene ocupado en este momento. Y, desde luego, no puede jugar con los favores europeos, como es Nord Stream, que debe ser suspendido de inmediato.
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Nikolaj Villumsen
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: DA

Fru Formand! Befolkningen i Ukraine fortjener fred og frihed. Den nuværende russiske aggression, annekteringen af Krim og besættelsen af Østukraine er fuldstændig uacceptabel. Putin udnytter EU-landenes afhængighed af russisk gas. Hvis vi vil kunne sige fra over for Putin, så er det afgørende, at vi styrker den grønne omstilling og gør os uafhængige af fossile brændsler. Det kan kun gå for langsomt. Med Nord Stream 2 er EU paradoksalt nok ved at øge sin afhængighed af russisk gas, samtidig med den militære opbygning. Det kan ende grueligt galt.  Vi skylder den ukrainske befolkning at gøre alt for at undgå krig. Lad os styrke den diplomatiske indsats. Lad os stoppe den hovedløse oprustning. Og hr. Borrell, lad os sætte Putin og oligarkerne stolen for døren og stoppe Nord Stream 2 en gang for alle!
Debate: EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Márton Gyöngyösi
Political group: NI
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, in Yalta exactly 77 years ago, superpowers divided Europe for half a century, ushered in the era of Cold War and shoved Central and Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain against its will. Once again, Russia is aiming to divide our continent by extending its sphere of influence. Putin is reviving the Brezhnev Doctrine and the Cold War rhetoric. Mr Borrell, you mentioned exemplary unity and solidarity within the EU while we have Viktor Orbán acting as a fifth column within our community, echoing Moscow’s position, blocking NATO initiatives, downplaying the impact of sanctions, betraying not only its allies but over 100 000 Hungarians living in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia. I was happy to hear Mr Legutko, speaker for the ECR Group, to recount the European collaborators of Moscow. Representatives of PiS, the Polish ruling party, could help the EU by influencing their key ally in Hungary, Viktor Orbán. They are our best hope, at least in this regard, until the Hungarian elections on 3 April.