Von der Leyen: “Putin has become the worst enemy of the Russian people”

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared Wednesday that Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has become the “worst enemy of the Russian people”, being economically stifled, and has appointed him responsible for future famines that could lead to grain shortages. because of the war. “Putin is also the worst enemy of the Russian people,” Von der Leyen told the European Parliament.

The leader added that societal sanctions against Moscow, ranging from freezing assets and reserves to the expulsion of most Russian banks from the SWFIT transfer system, are choking the Russian economy. “Interest rates have risen by 20% and risk rating agencies have placed Russian bonds in the trash category,” added the Executive President, pointing out that the European Union had taken steps to catch up “Putin’s strategic failures.

Von der Leyen also referred to food and energy security, both of which are at risk due to the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a country whose farmers cannot sow their next crop from the so-called “European bread basket”. “In addition, Putin blocked hundreds of ships loaded with grain in the Black Sea. The consequences will be felt from Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia to central Africa or the Far East. I asked Putin to let the ships sail. Otherwise, it will not only be responsible for war deaths, but also starvation. Let go of the boats!” he exclaimed.

The President of the Commission has indicated that the EU has agreed to allocate 2,500 million until 2024 to help regions around the planet to combat food insecurity. In the case of hydrocarbons, Von der Leyen has pointed out that energy policy is also a “security policy” and has defended the Commission’s plans to reduce society’s dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds within a year. “It’s very ambitious but we can achieve it,” said Von der Leyen, who will deal tomorrow in Brussels with the president of the United States, Joe Biden, to find ways to increase US exports of liquefied natural gas to the EU.

German Conservatives have praised the resistance of the Ukrainian people to the invasion and have pointed out that “if freedom had a name, that name would be Ukraine and today’s flag of Ukraine is the flag of freedom”. He also referred to EU unity regarding Russia’s aggression and asked to continue on this path. “If there’s one thing that Putin doesn’t anticipate, it’s our unity, the speed of our actions and our determination. Let there be no doubt that we will keep the pulse. Long live unity and long live Europe!” concluded the President of the Commission.

Prior to Germany’s decision, the President of the Council of Europe, Charles Michel, stressed that the responsibility for the war rests entirely with Russia, and that all those responsible for the conflict “will face international justice without impunity”. “We have experienced a month of war, a month of death, destruction and suffering. A month of Russian terror against the Ukrainian people and a month since the world of democracy has stood tall to condemn Russia for this barbaric and immoral war,” the former Belgian prime minister said.

See in the video following these lines the intervention of Von der Leyen and Michel: