Selmayr: “We now have to show the flag for Ukraine”

2024-01-29 15:29:37

EU Ambassador Martin Selmayr presents the Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Khymynets with an EU flag as a symbol of support on the path towards the EU.

Vienna (OTS) – The close ties between the European Union and Ukraine are now also reflected in the flag repertoire of the Ukrainian embassy in Austria: EU Ambassador Martin Selmayr handed over an EU flag to Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Khymynets on Monday.

“Despite having to defend itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than 700 days, Ukraine is carrying out profound reforms and making great progress towards the EU. The EU heads of state and government recognized this in December by giving the green light to open accession talks,” says Selmayr. “The people of Ukraine show us every day what Europe means to them and hold the European flag high. We will continue to stand by them steadfastly. Right now we have to show the flag for Ukraine.”

Vasyl Khymynets, Ukrainian ambassador to Austria, emphasizes: “The EU flag in the Ukrainian embassy is, on the one hand, a visible sign of historical justice: Ukraine and Europe are together again. The Ukrainian people fought for this justice with strength and courage. And it continues to fight for the values and freedom of Europe. On the other hand, for us the flag is also a motivation for further reforms and efforts towards the desired goal of the Ukrainian people: joining the EU.”

Since the outbreak of the war of aggression, the EU has supported Ukraine with around 85 billion euros – financial, humanitarian and military. The EU member states have taken in around four million war refugees from Ukraine. They also unanimously passed twelve packages of sanctions against Russia in order to weaken the Russian economy and make it more difficult for Putin to finance the war.

Special EU summit on February 1st

Next Thursday (February 1st) the European Council will meet in Brussels for a special meeting. The aim is to clear the way for a new support package for Ukraine. “I am confident that this will succeed,” says Selmayr. The funds are intended to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression and advance the country’s economic recovery, reconstruction and modernization.

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