Debate contributions by Sandra KALNIETE

Dear Chair, Commissioner, Colleagues, The Russian network of influencers in Europe is extensive and toxic. It also operates in the European Parliament. The only thing left is to listen to the speeches of some Members and look at their votes to see how purposefully they support the Kremlin. Their aim is to unite our societies, sow hatred and create disbelief in European values, as well as to promote populism and extremism. It is shocking that in their disruptive activities, these agents notice the use of European Union funding, resources and platform. I call on the European Parliament to investigate immediately and thoroughly the cases in which Members have used their mandate to support the aggressor state and to take action to prevent such activities in the future. Following the scandal about Tatyana Zhdanok’s cooperation with the Russian Federal Security Service, we proposed introducing allowances for Members working with sensitive information. The cases of espionage detected in the Secretariat of the European Parliament also demonstrate the need for a screening of staff security. The presence of foreign agents in the European Parliament and other institutions of our democracies poses significant risks to our security and credibility. Our resources must not be used to push authoritarian regimes.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, In a context where US support for Ukraine is changing after every phone call with Putin, Europe must take full responsibility for Ukraine's political, military and financial support. No one wants peace more than the heroic Ukrainian people, but peace must be just. Aggressors should not be rewarded for aggression. The borders of the countries cannot be changed by force, so Russia's request to Ukraine to abandon Donbas is completely unacceptable. The de jure preservation of territorial unity is an absolute principle. My country, Latvia, was occupied for more than 50 years, but the annexation was not de jure recognised by more than 50 countries. Non-recognition was the basis on which we restored Latvia's independence. Ukraine's place is in Europe. We must not hesitate to open the accession negotiations with the European Union. Their opening will send a strong political signal to Russia that Ukraine is leaving the Russian world irreversibly.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, Ukraine needs at least 40 billion external assistance in 2026 to withstand the upcoming difficult winter in a context of increased destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russia. Our choice is simple: either to help us use our taxpayers’ money or the aggressor’s money. It would be correct to use both. European countries are rich enough to provide more support to Ukraine from their budgets. There is also an urgent need to seize Russian frozen assets and use them to arm and rebuild Ukraine. The next European Council should support the loan mechanism proposed by the European Commission, which takes into account the concerns of all Member States. It is sufficient to rely on ‘risks to macroeconomic stability’. In addition, the European Union urgently needs to adopt the 19th package of sanctions. Maximum pressure on Russia's war economy is the only way to peace. We must not allow Russia to win, because it would be Europe's defeat.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, Commissioner, In the Baltic Sea region, the number of Russian hybrid attacks at sea, in the air and on land is growing rapidly. Russia is testing our response, reconnaissance and trying to inflict fear in society to undermine support for Ukraine. We need to create air defence capabilities that would deter Russia from flying drone parapherns in European airspace. We need to learn from Ukraine, which has developed technology and successfully shoots down hundreds of Russian drones every night. The common challenge for European countries is to quickly learn lessons from Ukraine, test, produce, innovate and quickly integrate into air defence both attack, defence and intercepting drones, as well as electronic warfare with positioning systems and other critical capabilities. Europe's immediate task is to jointly build and finance a drone wall, as the eastern border of the European Union is the border with Russia. It must be safe.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, It is great that President Maia Sandu addressed the European Parliament today. She is a political and moral authority not only for the Moldovans, but also for all Europeans. Moldova's progress towards European integration is so impressive that we need to open accession negotiations as soon as possible. Moldova, together with Ukraine, belongs to the European Union and together they need to move forward in the accession process. The upcoming parliamentary elections will be crucial for Moldova on its path towards the European Union. We know how much effort the Kremlin is making to destabilise Moldova and hinder its progress with toxic disinformation, cyberattacks and millions buying voters. The EU must make every effort to prevent the Kremlin from interfering with democratic processes in Moldova, including by strengthening the security of electoral infrastructure and providing support to counter disinformation. A secure, prosperous and stable Moldova is in the vital interest of the European Union.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, Is there anyone here in the European Parliament who believes that Putin really wants peace? If so, they are naive people or friends of the Kremlin. Russia has stepped up its destructive attacks on Ukrainian civilians, infrastructure, without sacrificing the headquarters of the government. Thus, the Kremlin is mocking the efforts of the US and the European Union to stop the war. The only way to peace is to continue to increase pressure on the aggressor and step up sanctions against Russia. Everyone should be aware that Ukraine is a guarantee of European security against the Kremlin's imperial plans. It is therefore crucial to continue arming Ukraine, ensuring that Ukraine has a strong, robust, modern, well-equipped and well-trained army, as well as a developed military industry. Above all, we need to ensure maximum support for Ukraine's European integration, we need to start accession negotiations with the European Union. Glory to Ukraine!

Dear Chair, Colleagues, I am truly pleased that Siarhei Tsikhanouski and some other political prisoners, mainly foreign citizens, have been released, but more than 1 200 political prisoners are still smiling in prisons. The recently published UN report reveals a terrible picture. It is like a handbook from the KGB, where political prisoners are systematically subjected to torture, sexual violence, abuse and forced psychiatric treatment. Lukashenka is a cynical, brutal dictator who grossly violates international law and human rights. He is Putin’s ally in the aggression against Ukraine. By releasing some political prisoners, he tries to alleviate his isolation and sanctions. This must not happen! Lukashenka and his henchmen must be held accountable at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for the crimes committed against the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, Europe must be aware that Russia's imperialist goals extend beyond Ukraine. The data of various intelligence services clearly prove that Russia is armed and preparing for confrontation with NATO. Allies must therefore commit to investing 5% of their GDP in defence as a matter of urgency. The Hague Summit must decide on this ambitious goal in the near future. My country, Latvia, proves that this can be done if there is political will. We spent 2% on defence in 2018, 3.6% this year and 5% next year. This must not be postponed, because we all have the next elections ahead of us, there is a need to invest in social programmes, education, healthcare and other priorities. At the moment, however, the most important task for political leaders is to modernise the Alliance, to increase its military and operational capabilities. There is no alternative to lasting peace in Europe.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, The fourth year of Russian aggression is underway. On a daily basis, Ukrainians are killed, mutilated, robbed, subjected to violence. The situation is particularly severe in the occupied territories, where Ukraine suffers crimes of Russian administrative power and security services, is arbitrarily imprisoned and tortured. This Russian colonial policy is a crime that can never be forgotten or forgiven. Putin has reinstated Stalin’s methods of deporting hundreds of thousands of innocent people from occupied areas to Russia’s outermost regions. But the biggest crime of the Kremlin is the kidnapping of 20,000 Ukrainian children. Their whereabouts are unknown, because many children have experienced adoption, change of name and citizenship. The largest are camped in re-education camps and subjected to massive russification and military indoctrination. The Kremlin's aim is apparently to educate them as soldiers for the Russian army, which will fight against its homeland. This is Putin’s true face – aggression, deportations, child abduction and mass graves of killed civilians. The international community must hold Russia accountable for the atrocities it has committed. Impunity must not be repeated, as happened after the collapse of the Communist communist regime.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, The European Commission's proposal to completely stop all energy imports from Russia by 2027 is a major step in strengthening our independence and security. Russia is and will remain the biggest immediate security threat to our continent. Russia is restoring its military potential and preparing for a long-term confrontation with Europe. We need to be prepared for each scenario and put an end to the dependencies that increase our vulnerability. Europe's goal is to end the war. Any talk of restoring the Nord Stream pipelines or weakening sanctions encourages the Kremlin to continue the war. No, with each subsequent package of sanctions, we need to increase pressure on Russia. We must not continue to finance Putin's war with our payments for gas, oil, nuclear fuel.

Dear Chair, Colleagues, On the ninth of May, we celebrate Europe Day. It symbolises the ability of European countries to learn from history. Combine to prevent the recurrence of bloody wars. However, Europe is once again in the shadow of war. It is already the fourth year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Putin justifies his unprovoked, brutal aggression with falsifications of history. The Kremlin has distinguished the bloody conquerors Ivan Bargo and Stalin from the corpse chamber. Their feats are now taught in schools. In Russia, the ghost of Hitler also wanders. It inspires the ideology of racism, justifying the restoration of the Russian empire and the division of the world into spheres of influence. We in Europe must not make the mistakes of the past. It is our duty to learn from history. First of all, taming the aggressor never works. To return Ukrainian territory to Putin means to repeat the Munich deal. The spheres of influence cause immense suffering. The people of Latvia have experienced this. We know that Putin's demand to dominate neighbouring countries will create a new Iron Curtain in Europe. Those responsible for the crimes of aggression and war must be held accountable. Putin's Nuremberg must take place. Imperialism must be limited. Europe must support Ukraine to victory and a stable peace. Glory to Ukraine!

Dear Chair, Colleagues, We all want lasting peace, but no one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people. This is why Zelenskyy has also agreed to the unconditional ceasefire offered by the United States. Putin is still not ready for peace. His aim is to destroy the Ukrainian state and assimilate its people, so Russia continues to bomb Ukrainian cities and kill civilians. Putin must be forced to agree to peace by further weakening and limiting Russia and its military potential. Peace through force remains the only way to stop the Kremlin's war machine, so new sanctions must be adopted against energy exports and the shadow fleet. It is necessary to minimise the Kremlin's access to the latest generation of technologies and to stop financial operations through Russia's second-tier banking network. The political will to confiscate frozen Russian assets must finally be found. Ukraine is an important pillar of the European security architecture. In the name of lasting and stable peace, it is in the European interest to strengthen Ukraine politically, militarily, financially, legally and to provide it with stable long-term security guarantees on its path towards membership of the European Union and NATO.

Dear President, Colleagues, Since the start of the Russian aggression in 2022, the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office has registered more than 150 000 war crimes. The Russian army conducts a brutal colonial war, destroys cities, schools, hospitals, kills civilians, punishes prisoners of war. Conquerors torture and rape adults and children. The war crimes committed by Russia against Ukrainian children are unspeakably cruel. More than 5 million children have fled. 669 children have been killed and 1 854 have been injured. More than 20,000 have been deported. The Kremlin places the largest children in re-education camps and forcibly registers them with Russian citizenship. Smaller people with a changed identity are transferred for adoption. Ukrainians know the names of war criminals and it is the responsibility of the international community to bring those responsible to justice. Putin and his henchmen must be aware that war crimes are not time-barred. Let's not be naive! Putin aims to destroy the Ukrainian state and the identity of the Ukrainian people, seize its territory and resources, and this has not changed. Russia continues to bomb Ukrainian cities and kill civilians. The new mobilisation order of 160,000 shows that the Kremlin does not need peace, it is a pretence. We need peace, and Ukraine needs the most just peace. We must ensure that the peace agreement guarantees Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial unity and freedom to choose its future. The treaty must ensure that Russia is no longer able to resume its aggression.

Dear colleagues, The fourth year of war has begun, but Europe is still buying oil and gas from Russia, financing the aggression against Ukraine. The media are increasingly telling that sanctions are not working, that it is in Europe's interest to rebuild imports of fossil resources from Russia. It is alarming to hear that the US is considering a partial lifting of sanctions on the Russian energy sector. It is dangerous to continue importing Russian energy. This is not in the European interest. It is dangerous, it is unsafe, it harms Europe's security, economy, resilience and the environment. We no longer buy Russian gas, oil or electricity in the Baltic States. Since February we have completely disconnected from BRELL the electricity grid and connected to the European grid. The Baltic States have become completely independent of the aggressor. Believe us, we know from our experience that any dependence on an aggressor is a vulnerability. It weakens Europe. Consistent further diversification of energy resources is needed to increase Europe's energy security. Increasing energy imports from the United States can become a bridge to the turbulent transatlantic relationship. This is in the interest of Europe and the US.

Dear colleagues, Russia spends 9% of its GDP or 41% of its budget on war this year. Today, European countries are lagging far behind, so we must commit to spending at least 3.5% of each country's GDP on defence. We urgently need to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities. This is in the interest of all European countries, as the security of Europe's future in Ukraine is crucial. We must continue to support Ukraine militarily by all possible means. A decision on the use of Russian frozen assets for the armament and reconstruction of Ukraine is therefore urgently needed. Half time for events and compromises has come to an end. Europe must act quickly, united and decisively. Let's tell Putin to pay for the crime of aggression and poured out blood of the Ukrainian people.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, “Not allowed to give in.” This message has been left by Alexei Navalny to the Russian opposition after his death. He knew that the barbarism of repression would increase. Navalny wasn't wrong. The Kremlin provides its power with an ambition worthy of Orwell's dystopia. The number of political prisoners is growing. Also, Navalny's lawyers and associates of the foundation have already been imprisoned in strict regime colonies. For the time being, Putin, unlike Stalin, is not yet using judicial power to execute opponents. He solves this more discreetly - by poisoning the opponents, blowing them up or throwing them out of the window. The Russian opposition has been weakened to a critical level. It is therefore Europe's duty to support civil society activists in Russia and also the opposition operating outside it. Political repression provides Putin with a policy of expansion and hybrid operations against neighbouring countries. He is determined to continue the war of aggression in Ukraine. The Kremlin intervened intensively in the elections of Georgia, Moldova and European countries. European critical infrastructure is regularly attacked. The Kremlin's influence agents are bribed in the European institutions. Russia is and will be the biggest threat to European security. Europe must finally realise that Ukraine's victory is a matter for European security and the future. Our support for Ukraine is not enough, either in terms of sanctions or weapons, to win the war. The countries of the European Union and NATO must support Ukraine more quickly and decisively. Victory in the war will limit Russia's military capabilities. Ukraine's victory will be the tomb bell of Putin's regime and, hopefully, the beginning of Russian normalization, not a mess.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, Russia has been continuing the war in Ukraine for three years. There are no signs that Putin is ready to end the war. No, he is determined to destroy the Ukrainian state and disrupt the European security system. Putin knows that the support of the European Union and the United States for Ukraine is not enough to win. We have not done so much, either in terms of sanctions or support, that Putin understands that he will lose the war and is forced to sit down at the negotiating table. Even if the fighting stops in the near future, we will have to arm Ukraine and further develop its weapons production capabilities. We must ensure that Russia does not resume its aggression. This will mean major investments in Ukraine and also in strengthening the eastern flank of the European Union. We must not accept Russian ultimatum or absurd territorial requirements. Our demand is strong security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia's deterrence capacity. No one will do that for us.

Mr President, dear colleagues, In the last year, we have witnessed targeted attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. They undermine our communications and energy systems, and threaten $10 trillion worth of financial transactions every day. The investigation process is marked by the involvement of Russian and Chinese vessels. The protection of our infrastructure is essential, which is why NATO has launched the enhanced surveillance mission Baltic Sentry. But that is not enough. Great Britain has sanctioned - 110, USA - more than 200 shadow fleet vessels. We're lagging behind with 79 ships. Colleagues, these ships not only threaten the security of our underwater infrastructure and marine environment through hostile actions, but also earn billions for Russia and prolong the war in Ukraine. The European Union must step up its action against the shadow fleet. We need to act quickly and decisively.

Dear Chair, Colleagues! It has been 20 years since the countries that suffered from the Communist regime imposed by the USSR joined the European Union, but the understanding of the history of Europe in the 20th century is still unified. Unbelievable, but events are taking place in the European Parliament using the symbols of the communist regime. I can imagine what a creep would be if a poster with a Swastic and a portrait of Hitler appeared in our corridors. But Lenin with a sickle and a hammer, it turns out, is the inner thing of the left group. This is totally unacceptable. We must ban the symbolism of the two totalitarian regimes in Europe. The most tragic proof of the fact that historical facts should not be manipulated is Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. I would like to remind you that 3,954 days or more than 10 years have passed since the beginning of the war. Russia's aggressive revanchism can only be brought to an end by its defeat in the unjust war against Ukraine. The US Congress has just adopted Crucial Communism Teaching Act. It aims to build societal resilience against hostile ideologies and promote research. Unfortunately, Europe still has a long way to go to deepen its understanding of the complex history of the 20th century. The anti-humanist ideology of communism must be taught at school, it must be studied more intensively in order to build immunity against the manipulation of historical facts.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, What happened in the presidential elections in Romania is no surprise. In its previous mandate, the INGE Committee’s reports warned against such a scenario. Putin's candidate victory was achieved through direct interference by the aggressor state in the elections, injecting millions of dollars into the campaign to fund influencers, manipulating the algorithms of social media platforms and falsifying accounts. Let's not be naïve! The first attempt was in Moldova, where this scenario did not work. However, the Kremlin will improve this and repeat it in every future election in a country of the European Union. We must seriously prepare for such attacks, consistently hold e-platforms, including TikTok, accountable for the illegal funding of political campaigns. The Digital Service Act provides for fines, but for the time being, those who engage in these illegal activities are not sanctioned. This is a loophole in the law that needs to be rectified. It is equally important to neutralise the root of the evil, so we must persevere in weakening the Kremlin, both by supporting Ukraine and by imposing suffocating economic sanctions on it until Putin's regime collapses. Democracy is not self-evident, it is our duty to protect it from hostile attacks.

Madam President, thank you very much. Dear colleagues, 600 shadow fleet tankers export 70% of Russian oil, injecting 12 billion dollars into the war budget every month. The shadow fleet has doubled this year. These tankers are uninsured and their personnel are poorly trained. They are dangerously worn out, as the average age of ships is 20 years. In fact, these are ecological time bombs that threaten the world's waters with oil spills. For Latvia and the other Baltic Sea countries, Russia's shadow fleet is a direct hybrid threat. Sanctions against shipowners, who often change in the same way as their home countries, work poorly. However, each ship has a registration number. Already the first dozen ships listed by the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom show that the amount of oil transported is decreasing. So far, the European Union has sanctioned 27 vessels. This is not enough, hundreds of vessels of the shadow fleet should be included in the lists. Allies must put more pressure on international facilitators of Putin's war, countries and companies that are enriched as intermediaries when exporting dual-use goods to Russia. Without significantly reducing the Kremlin's chances of continuing the war, we are pushing back Ukraine's victory.

Mr President, Commissioner, Dear colleagues, What else can be said about the army of the Russian fascist regime? Is there any cruel crime that Putin's war crowds would not have committed against prisoners of war? The daily practice is to imprison prisoners with criminals, starve masses, prevent communication with loved ones. But there are more horrific crimes. You can cut the prisoner's head off and boast of it in social networks. Or burn live soldiers of the Azov unit. You can strip naked prisoners of war and shoot, rape, torture and kill. If Putin believes that it will be able to intimidate Ukrainians, then in vain. We know how brave the Ukrainian people are. The systematic killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian troops is a war crime and a demonstrative violation of international law. We know bends, their commanders and regime propagandists who glorify and encourage these atrocities. They will all have to stand trial. Ukraine must win. We therefore call for the lifting of restrictions preventing Ukrainians from using long-range radius missiles to destroy military objects on Russian territory. Russia must be defeated so that its imperialism does not threaten our future.

Mr President, Colleagues! The upcoming presidential elections and referendum on EU membership on 20 October are a crucial milestone in Moldova's European integration. Russia is therefore targeting Moldova’s mafia-style campaign of voter bribery, massive disinformation and attempted destabilisation of society. In the last month alone, Russia has injected more than 15 million dollars into the bank accounts of 130,000 Moldovan citizens. In parallel, cyber-attacks on vital national systems are taking place. The campaign is an unconcealed attack on Moldova's democracy and state institutions. In fact, it is an attack on Moldova's European future. Moldova therefore has the right to defend itself both by closing propaganda outlets and by preventing candidates from illegally funded parties from competing in the presidential elections. In the time remaining before the referendum, the EU must step up all assistance to Moldova in the fight against hybrid threats, cyber-attacks and disinformation. We have a range of instruments at our disposal for this: the European Peace Facility, the reinforcement of sanctions, as well as the cooperation programmes of the Partnership Mission. Moldova’s place is in the European Union. History will not forgive us if we are not able to stop the malicious activities and hybrid operations of Russia and its local assistants.

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, The Belarusian regime is a co-aggressor of Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With the permission of Lukashenka, Russian troops are using the territory of Belarus for missile launches, ground attacks and logistics. With the blessing of Belarusian customs, Russia is supplied with sanctioned European goods. Just as Putin Lukashenka arbitrarily arrests and imprisons political opponents, suppresses any manifestations of civic protest and freedoms, and persecutes the free press. More than 1,400 political prisoners are smiling in the prisons of the dictator. Many are deprived of communication with family members, are exposed to isolation, violence and torture, do not receive adequate medical assistance. The European Parliament demands the immediate admission of the Red Cross to political prisoners, especially Maria Kalesnikava and Andrzej Pachobut, whose state of health is critical. The European Union and its Member States need to expand and strengthen sanctions against those responsible for and complicit in the regime’s repression of its people, as well as those responsible for directly supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in Belarus. All financial and economic sanctions against Russia must also target Belarus. Like Russia, Belarus deserves political and diplomatic isolation. Finally, I call on the international community to remember, in the next round of talks with the Kremlin on the exchange of Western and Russian political prisoners against Putin's murderers and spies, that freedom fighters in Belarusian prisons, who deserve to be released, are also smiling.