'Ukraine is not bargaining chip': EU lawmaker rejects linking Kyiv aid to Iran crisis
European Parliament lawmaker Valérie Hayer (photo: Getty Images)
President of Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, Valérie Hayer, spoke out against attempts to link support for Ukraine with the Iran issue. According to her, the security of Kyiv is not subject to bargaining, Euronews reports.
What Hayer said
"Ukraine is not a bargaining chip, and Iran's war is not our war," Hayer said.
She called any shift of attention away from Ukraine "a huge mistake" and stressed that Russia remains the "first threat" to Europe. In her opinion, the defense of Ukraine should be the "top priority" for European leaders.
What preceded this
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that if Europe does not help the United States on the Iran issue, Washington may take a less active role in the peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine.
"I think it was a couple of the leaders in Europe who said that this was not Europe's war. Well, Ukraine is not America's war," Rubio said before departing for the G7 meeting in France.
Rubio also called on Europe to help restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. One-fifth of global oil is transported through this route.
Hayer responded that the issue is not about helping Americans:
"This is not a question of helping Americans. This is a question of energy security. What we have done until now [...] is also to move on to environmental transitions. We are too dependent on fossil fuels. We need to be more independent."
According to the publication, both in Europe and in Ukraine understand that without the participation of the United States, any security guarantees for Kyiv will be significantly weaker.
American backstop — that is, a safety mechanism — is considered key to deterring possible new Russian aggression.
Ukraine's accession to the EU faces obstacles, while Brussels expectations remain high. Ukraine has already made significant progress toward membership, but major challenges remain ahead.
At the same time, the EU spoke out against the actions of Hungary. Members of the European Parliament signed a joint statement regarding the actions of Prime Minister Orbán.
