Tsipras in PES: Immediate initiative for peace in Ukraine and halting the economic effects of the crisis

“If the war continues for a long time, it is certain that Europe will be one of the heaviest losers in this crisis,” said the President of the SYRIZA Progressive Alliance, Alexis Tsipras, during his attendance at the PES Preparatory Summit.

“That is why it is time for the European Union to take initiatives, to stop being the tail of diplomatic developments in international developments and to take active diplomatic initiatives to end the invasion and bring peace to the region,” Tsipras said. “Today’s debate in the Summit on granting Ukraine accession status only makes sense if it is part of a broader framework for peace and stability. A framework that will obviously include the non-expansion of NATO in the region. Sanctions only make sense when they effectively push Russia to end hostilities, and when sanctions hit those who impose them more than the one who suffers them, then they may not be the only means of tackling the crisis.

I will therefore ask the European Socialists today to take initiatives for a diplomatic solution with a view to ending the invasion and making peace. Also, to take initiatives to halt the economic effects of the crisis, to be able to suspend and reform the framework of the energy exchange, to have a cap on the profits of producers in the wholesale electricity market, but at the same time to extend the Escape Clause and expand the Recovery Fund, both in time and material resources.

“Finally, I will have the opportunity to inform them about the escalation of the rhetorical tension on the part of Turkey and to ask for commitments for substantial support of Greece and not only in words.”