NEWSWATCH: Ukraine’s Poroshenko: “‘We believe in Europe’; Memories of war and oppression are short in the EU, as Brexit shows. Not in Ukraine.” – Petro Poroshenko/Politico.eu
Writing in Politio.eu, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses the UK’s exit from the EU and Ukraine’s professed ongoing commitment to European unity.
These aren’t the easiest days for a united Europe. Both Eastern and Western Europe are suffering from Brexit fever. The destiny of those who want to be out has been decided – just like the destiny of those who want be in. But it is not a time for despair. It is a time for unity, responsibility and vision. A time to understand how we got to this point and how to find our way out together.
Brexit is, above all, a crisis of faith. After 59 years of the European project … many Europeans are less appreciative of what it brings (peace, stability, freedom of movement) than of what it takes (solidarity and patience). No price is too high for peace and freedom. This simple truth fades in people’s minds as they forget what war and authoritarianism feel like.
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We believe in Europe. We will faithfully stick with Europe. We see Europe for what it is: the only path to a better future and the only remedy for the disease of egoism and division that has cost our Continent millions of lives. … Those who believe in a united Europe must pull together. … It’s time for those who have faith in the European project to take the lead.
[featured image is file photo]