IDU Mission Report Ukraine and Moldova
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. After more than a year of war in Ukraine, the world has witnessed a level of aggression and contempt for humanity long thought to be a thing of the past, stemming solely from the Moscow regime’s imperial claims. Russia’s brazenly displayed war aims – the complete destruction of Ukrainian culture and the elimination of Ukraine as a sovereign state – show that the current international order, to which Russia has agreed as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is being ignored and trampled underfoot.
This makes the courage and determination with which the Ukrainians are organizing their defensive struggle against a seemingly overpowering opponent and withstanding its terrorist attacks all the more admirable. In addition to the great suffering the invasion has brought upon Ukraine, the war has also impacted the international order and security architecture. Such a blatant breach of international law, the principle of the sovereignty of states, and the violation of human rights must not be tolerated, if it not to endanger all free and democratic nations.
Therefore, an International Democrat Union (IDU) delegation visited our friends and partners in Ukraine and Moldova to express our solidarity and support. The purpose of the delegation’s trip was to learn about developments in Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia, the humanitarian situation, civilian and military support lines, and political developments on the ground. The delegation was led by Christopher FUSSNER, IDU Treasurer and U.S. Republican Representative to the IDU. In addition, it included IDU Vice-Chair Elbegdorj TSAKHIA, former President and former Prime Minister of Mongolia; Janez JANSA, former Prime Minister of Slovenia; Christian KATTNER, IDU Secretary General; Hans REICHHART, Governor of the Günzburg County and former Bavarian Minister of State for Transportation; Steve SUTTON, Senior Vice-President Leadership Institute; Ron NEHRING, Director of International Programs Leadership Institute; and Tim PETERS, Director of the Kyiv Office of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
The journey to Kyiv by night train was smooth and gave the delegation our first insight into the soul of Ukrainian life. On the train we met Ukrainians of all ages, who are to a person guided by the unbroken will to stand up for the liberation of their homeland. Despite the hardships, the destruction and the ongoing terrorist attacks with missiles and drones, Ukrainians are not broken, but much more solidified in their will to defend themselves.
A first visit to the Kyiv suburbs of Hostomel, Bucha, and Irpin, displayed the brutality of the Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital at that time. It is the destruction of civilian infrastructure, of homes, and the many graves with Ukrainian flags that illustrate the scale of the atrocities. The visit to a church in Bucha, on whose grounds a mass grave created by Russians was found, symbolizes on the one hand the Russian war crimes committed and on the other hand the Ukrainians’ will to resist. In a photo exhibition, the suffering and destruction become directly tangible. A report on the exhumation of those killed from the mass grave only hints at the extent of the violence the civilian population has had to endure during the occupation. All the more admirable is the will of the town’s citizens to survive and their immediate efforts to rebuild after the Russians left, despite ongoing air alerts.
As a contribution of humanitarian support, the IDU has purchased an ambulance from Germany and delivered it to Kyiv filled with medical supplies. Our sincere gratitude goes to IDU Treasurer Christopher Fussner, whose financial support made the purchase of the ambulance possible. Furthermore, we would like to thank Hans Reichhart, who made the purchase of the medical equipment possible. The ambulance was handed over to a hospital in eastern Ukraine, near the embattled city of Bachmut. During the handover at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, we were also able to welcome EU Commissioner and IDU Vice-Chair Johannes Hahn who was staying in Kyiv. It was important for the IDU to make a substantial humanitarian contribution in addition to our continuing political solidarity.
Subsequently, the delegation had a number of political meetings with, among others, the leader of the European Solidarity Party, former President Petro Poroshenko; the leader of the Batkivshchyna Party, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko; and Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis. Ms. Tymoshenko was personally presented the IDU’s Bush-Thatcher Award for Freedom and Democracy 2022 by head of the delegation Fussner. The Award – to both Prime Minister Tymoshenko and President Poroshenko – had been announced at the IDU Forum in Washington, DC, in December.
All interlocutors were united by the conviction that the fight against Russia can be won. Continued support from Europe and other democratic countries is crucial in this regard. This civilian and military support is more than just aid. It is an investment in the freedom of Ukraine, as well as the preservation of the global order and of the security and sovereignty of all Russia’s neighboring states. That is why support for Ukraine will be needed for a long time to come.
On the question of peace negotiations at the present time, there is also an overwhelming consensus, that is, we must not put the burden of finding a peace deal on the victim, Ukraine. The aggressor, the political leadership in Moscow, is the one we must challenge. Ending the war is in the hands of Putin and his regime, just as starting it was. Moscow must realize that it has no chance of achieving its military goals. The war can be ended immediately if Russia completely withdraws its troops from Ukraine and restores Ukrainian sovereignty over the pre-2014 territory. Then it will be possible to move to negotiations.
To support of Ukraine, the extension of targeted sanctions against those responsible for the war in Russia, a complete stop of Russian oil exports using the merchant fleets of democratic states, the intensification of the indictments in the International Criminal Court, and the implementation of EU accession negotiations are of major importance. During talks in Odesa with MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, the delegation was informed about the great importance of grain exports from Ukraine for the world food supply. In this case, too, the demands are clear: Russia must not continue to abuse the grain agreement as a means of political pressure. The constant demands for adjustments to the grain agreement from the Russian side are ultimately nothing more than attempts at blackmail, under which the poorest countries that rely on continuous supplies from Ukraine suffer. The global community must send a clear signal that Russia must not use hunger in the world as a weapon of war.
The delegation continued to the Republic of Moldova following the visit to Odesa. Moldova is another country suffering from Russia’s war against Ukraine. In addition, in recent months more and more incidents have occurred that have attempted to weaken the political system and to bring down the pro-European government of President Maia Sandu. The delegation had the opportunity to discuss the foreign and security policy situation, the economic challenges, and the domestic situation ahead of the upcoming local elections in a direct exchange with President Sandu, Minister of Interior Ana Revenco, and Speaker of the Parliament Igor Grosu.
The Moldovan government’s goal is to free the country from Moscow’s grip. At the time of the Russian invasion, Moldova was almost entirely dependent on gas supplies from Russia and electricity supplies from Transnistria – a region dominated by Russian separatists. Through many small steps and against massive domestic opposition due to sharply increased energy prices, the Sandu government was able to largely free itself from Russian blackmail. Moldova today is connected to the electricity and gas network of Romania, an EU member state.
Moldova has also taken in nearly 800,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022. To date, 102,000 refugees remain permanently in the country. Moldova, with a population of about 2.5 million, has thus taken in more Ukrainian refugees per capita than any other country. The burden placed on the Republic of Moldova by increased energy costs and the flood of refugees is enormous. But with the new status of an EU accession country, the Sandu government has created an opportunity for an investment-friendly and legally stable environment. Crucial to the country’s economic development is the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises that can create jobs and generate sales and thus also generate government revenues.
Due to the stabilization of the southern Ukrainian front, the scenario of a Russian advance into Transnistria, and thus into Moldova, is less likely than it was in the spring of 2022. However, recent street protests supported and orchestrated by pro-Russian forces have demonstrated that Moldova’s democratic defences must be strengthened against threats from within.
In cooperation with the Leadership Institute, campaign and communications training was organized for the PAS party’s election campaigners. The training should contribute to the success of the pro-European forces in the Republic of Moldova in the upcoming local election campaign. During the training sessions, we met a young generation of Moldovans whose plan for their future is a life of peace and democracy. After the years of corrupt oligarch rule, President Sandu’s government and the country’s acceptance as an EU accession candidate is for them the guarantee of their freedom and self-determination.
On behalf of the entire IDU, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the intensive and selfless support of our partner parties in Ukraine, European Solidarity and Batkivshchyna, and in the Republic of Moldova, the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). A special thanks goes to our partners from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the International Republican Institute, and the Leadership Institute. Last but not least we would like say thank you to Ukrainian friends and supporters who actively supported the procurement of the ambulance and our humanitarian aid delivery.
The IDU will continue to work for the people of Ukraine until full liberation. Slava Ukraini!
The IDU will actively support the Republic of Moldova on its way to EU integration with all means. Long live a free Moldova!