The main topics of the plenary meeting held at the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg last week were Ukraine and Russian intervention. Discussions on these two issues led to a broad consensus among MPs, who viewed the approval of the aid package by the European Council extremely positively and called on member states to investigate possible links between European parties and Kremlin agents. In this interview with El Periódico de Cataluña of the Prensa Ibérica group, David McAllister, head of the Foreign Affairs Commission of an institution that always seems to be two steps ahead of the rest of the EU, calls on EU governments to strengthen common defense and prepare for a possible new era of Donald Trump in the United States.
How do you evaluate the results of the extraordinary summit in Brussels?
I welcome the solution found by the European Council regarding funding for Ukraine. It would be better to have a deal done before Christmas because time is of the essence. But at that time we could not achieve this because of Hungary. An agreement was reached quickly due to diplomatic activities that had previously been carried out in the background during the summit, and the Hungarian Prime Minister realized that he was completely alone. It was also helpful for Member States to make it clear to Viktor Orbán that if he continued to obstruct the situation, the remaining 26 countries could move forward without him. This left him no potential to blackmail the EU.
Do you think Orbán should be considered withdrawing the right to vote in the future?
This is a very difficult decision. This should be the last option and have a solid legal basis. However, regarding fundamental principles such as democracy, the rule of law, freedom of the press and human rights, these need to be guaranteed by each Member State. When it comes to foreign policy and security policy, we must be united. I believe that we can expand the scope of the issues that will be decided by qualified majority in the coming period.
There is Joe Biden in the USA There are major difficulties in approving the financial aid package for Ukraine. Is Europe willing to increase its support if Trump wins the election?
The EU support to Ukraine in the last two years is quite impressive: $82 billion in addition to military aid. With the funding for Ukraine, we have the opportunity to support the country flexibly between 2024 and 2027. This guarantees Kiev’s predictability. Support for Ukraine in the United States remains blocked, and we call on Congress to end this debate because Kiev also depends on U.S. support. It is unknown what will happen after the presidential elections in November; It will be North Americans who will decide. We must be prepared for a second Biden administration or the return of Trump.
Is there a plan B?
We don’t talk about this publicly because it’s as if we’re waiting for the outcome of the elections. My advice is to establish channels beyond the president with Democratic and Republican lawmakers who want to strengthen transatlantic relations. We must explain to them that the outcome of this war will have a global impact because it could send the message to autocrats that borders can be changed by force.
what do you think about? Confiscation of frozen Russian goods To pay war reparations?
The European Parliament is clear. This money should be used to rebuild Ukraine on a solid legal basis. There are valid legal arguments that make this possible.
Isn’t there a risk of creating legal uncertainty in the EU?
This war of aggression is illegal, brutal and violent. This is a violation of the most basic principles. Therefore such an answer is appropriate. Those who benefit from the Russian system have to pay.
What should countries where interference is detected do?
All accusations of Russian interference, including the Kremlin’s activities in Catalonia, must be taken very seriously and investigated. I lived in West Germany in the 70s and 80s and this is not new. The Russians and the Stasi (East German secret service NDR) were always trying to destabilize West Germany and create polarization. For Putin, the most important thing is unity, and that’s why I ask the Europeans to support the 13th sanctions package. There are sectors that we have identified as open to action, such as steel. The possibility of evading sanctions through Central Asia also needs to be stopped, and in particular, Russia must be prevented from acquiring high-tech components for military use. Also in liquefied gas, the import of which the European Parliament has called for a complete ban on.
Many voices say that Ukraine should accept the de facto division of the country…
International law is very clear. Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be restored to the 2014 borders, and we must support Ukraine as long as necessary. Kiev must prevail and it is up to it to decide when the time has come.