A. Tsipras for Russian invasion: Yes to harsh sanctions – Do not let the country become part of the war

By Niki Zorba

Unequivocal condemnation of the Russian invasion, yes to sanctions, no to sending military equipment to Ukraine unless requested in the EU or NATO, yes to Ukraine’s accession to the EU, pursuit of dialogue with Turkey, no to a la carte invocation and sensitivity to the violation of International Law. These are the summaries of the position of the official opposition in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict that returns Europe and the world to dark times, as expressed by Alexis Tsipras from the floor of Parliament, in the debate on developments in Ukraine.

The president of SYRIZA spoke about “certain aspects” of the government’s stance with which he disagrees: “I wonder what is the expediency of turning the country into a part of the war” he asked in his prologue.

In this context, Mr. Tsipras said, among other things:

-Dramatic developments. The Russian invasion of Ukraine restores Europe and all of humanity to dark times. We need to stand up to the circumstances. At many points in the Prime Minister’s position, his mind was on his political opponents and not on Putin and Erdogan.

– Common goals must be heard for all of us: the soonest possible restoration of peace, protection of national interests, solidarity with those who are suffering. In every village in Ukraine.

– We must all unequivocally condemn the Russian invasion without asterisks. We rightly support and participate in sanctions. But these must be a tool for Peace. Suffocating pressure but it must leave a perspective of dialogue. We must not be seduced into actions and moves that will bring against us not Putin but the Russian people. The pogrom against Russian citizens is wrong. The pogrom on Russian students is wrong. In cultural organizations it is wrong. We are facing Putin, not Russian culture.

– To be in favor of Ukraine’s accession to the EU for practical and symbolic reasons.

– The dramatic developments make us think about what the role of our country should be. Should our country stay in the multidimensional foreign policy or like the other NATO countries and even in a hurry? Should Greece in this global instability become part of the war and not part of the peace? These dilemmas want political dialogue, not buzzwords.

– Our deepest concern for certain aspects of the attitude taken by the government. Without consultation, you decided to send weapons to Ukraine. Not in the context of EU or NATO decisions. I wonder what is the expediency of turning the country into a part of the war? You are not allowed to decide on your own, without KYSEA having met, to inform even the political leaders. There is no one male authority in Greece, in other countries there is and we saw where it led.

-It would be a historic mistake for our country to decide that since we are returning to the Cold War era, we should also return to the Papagou doctrine. Not even the Karamanlis doctrine. Who benefits from the fierce EU-Russia conflict? However, not the European Union. And if the main responsibility lies with President Putin, it would be a mistake to say that we do not see the EU’s mistakes: its inability to play a leading role. No one can invoke international ala carte law. Where is the International Law for 48 years in the long-suffering Cyprus? Where is; Because I also heard some people talk about an “unprecedented” violation.

-Global developments are an additional reason to actively pursue a meaningful dialogue with Turkey. No illusions but the country of dialogue must remain open. It is wrong to insist on the false narrative of “supposedly isolated Turkey”. Instead of striving as a country to put the agenda on the neighbor.

– We will not accept a climate of necessity of over-equipment without transparency. For us, the goal is the territorial integrity and independence of our homeland. Armaments are only one means. There are other means even more important.

– Do not try to hide your responsibilities for your wrong choices in Energy that brought the champion country in prices before the crisis with Ukraine broke out. Very difficult days await us and brave decisions are required.