“This Western aid will not allow us to win, but at least to resist,” pleads Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviïtchouk

For the Ukrainian lawyer and activist, “It is obvious that Ukrainians need to return to European civilization” after the opening of negotiations for accession to the European Union.

A first step in the form of “victory“, according to Volodymyr Zelensky: the leaders of the European Union managed to open accession negotiations with this country at war, Thursday December 14. “This is a victory for Ukraine, for all of Europe, a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens“, immediately launched the Ukrainian president, while the White House greeted a “historic decision“.

Although the process will be long, the symbolism is strong for this country at war since February 24, 2022, the date of the start of the Russian invasion. And it is not Oleksandra Matviïtchouk, Ukrainian lawyer and human rights activist, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, who will say the opposite: “It is obvious that Ukrainians need to return to European civilization.”.

“Not just for Ukraine, but for the whole world”

But like the vast majority of Ukrainians, before dreaming of this distant accession to Europe, the priority is the granting by Brussels of new aid of 50 billion euros to block the Russian invasion. However, European Union leaders failed to convince Hungary to lift its veto on this new aid. Without it, her country will not be able to stand up to Russia, she assures: “Thousands of Ukrainians, suffering because of this war and fighting for freedom and dignity, are waiting for positive news from Brussels.”

Oleksandra Matviïtchouk is categorical: “This aid is essential. Not just for Ukraine, but for the whole worldshe says. We must punish authoritarian leaders who launch wars of aggression.
If we don’t punish them, we will end up in a potentially dangerous world for everyone. Without exception”.

Apart from European aid, the Nobel Prize winner hopes that American aid will also finally be released. The sum, which represents $61 billion, is still pending a congressional agreement in Washington. “This Western aid will not allow us to win, but at least to resist“, she concludes.