Robert Abela Guest Opinion: For Sustainable Peace In Ukraine And Europe
It’s been one long year during which the people of Ukraine have shown utmost courage and resilience in defending their country and fighting for their freedom in the face of indiscriminate attacks on their territory.
Only a few hours after the invasion of Ukraine started, we hosted Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address the European Council.
It was a stark realisation that what we all had grown up to think was unthinkable, had now come to be – war had returned to the European Continent.
The days, weeks, and months that followed that fateful day saw the strong unity of action of the European Union and its international partners in the face of Russian aggression.
Unity in showing solidarity with Ukraine.
Unity in showing unwavering support for its territorial integrity and sovereignty and unity in welcoming those seeking refuge.
Together with EU Member States and our international partners, Malta has consistently supported the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people. While remaining mindful of our constitutional obligations, we have been very clear in our understanding that neutrality does not mean being blind to the egregious and tragic truth unfolding in front of our eyes.
At the United Nations, at the OSCE and in other international fora, we joined our partners in unequivocally condemning the unprovoked aggression.
In the face of such brutality and destruction I immediately mobilised all the relevant government actors to provide humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people, to support Ukrainians who had arrived in Malta or in other EU Member States as well as in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. We also provided medical assistance to Ukrainians in our own hospitals.
We have dispatched medical supplies to Ukraine in the early days of the war and more recently, the Maltese people also sent electricity generators, one of Ukraine’s main asks in the face of attacks to their critical infrastructure and harsh winter conditions.
In addition, our authorities supported and fully implemented the successive packages of sanctions adopted by the European Union on Russia for its military aggression against Ukraine.
Through the Sanctions Monitoring Board, Malta has been proactive both in ensuring Malta meets all its obligations under the sanctions regime, including through tracing and freezing of assets of listed individuals and companies, as well as through providing important information to other Member States’ authorities leading to the freezing of assets in jurisdictions outside our own.
In discussions within the EU and with international partners on the setting of price caps on oil and petroleum products, we made the point that a level playing field needs to be ensured and committed to continue outreach to stakeholders, which remains key as we move forward with implementation.
A point which has also been very important for Ukraine and its people is EU membership. Psychologically, it gives them hope – something to look forward to and dream about. Malta will continue to back Ukraine’s European aspirations, in line with an established process and extends its support to Ukraine along the path to EU membership.
And in the face of a global food and energy crisis, Malta has championed EU and international efforts to address the spillover effects of Russian aggression. Nationally, we have also taken bold and decisive action to shoulder the burden of increasing energy prices. Action which has helped our economy to continue to grow steadily.
The events of February 2022 and all we have witnessed since then, are a stark reminder that peace cannot and must not be taken for granted. A reminder that peace and stability need to be nurtured. As much as we stand with Ukraine in the face of this unprovoked aggression, so too do we stand with Ukraine in its efforts to seek a fair and sustainable peace firmly grounded in the international rules-based system.
This is a matter of responsibility and ultimately of credibility. This is why I commend all efforts and initiatives towards securing Just Peace.
For these efforts to be successful, they need the widest possible global support, including at UN level. Malta is actively supporting these efforts through our seat on the UN Security Council and the Presidency of the Security Council precisely this month.
We remain committed to this support, including through outreach with all the stakeholders in the General Assembly to continue shedding light on the impact of this unjustified aggression and the importance of addressing all its consequences.
I am honoured that Malta has had a role in two important events that have been organised over the past few days to mark one year since the start of Russian aggression.
Two days ago, Malta supported the opening of the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the situation in Ukraine, and the vote in support of Ukraine. Today my Foreign Minister will preside over a UN Security Council debate that will address Russia’s aggression.
In the last European Council, I shared President Zelenskyy’s evocation of Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman, founding fathers of the European Union, who aspired to build unity from the embers of two world wars. Their legacy has contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights for over 70 years.
This is the future that we want for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian people can find a friend in Malta. We will continue to use our voice to condemn Russia’s actions and call on Russia to uphold the international rules-based order.
Morally, we cannot do otherwise.
Robert Abela is the Prime Minister of Malta and the Leader of the Labour Party
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