MEPs call for de-escalation of conflict in Ukraine

MPs Jean-Paul Garraud from France's Patriots for Europe parliamentary group and Ozlem Demirel from Germany's Left faction have called on the European Parliament (EP) to de-escalate the Ukrainian conflict instead of further inflaming it by allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons on Russian territory. The politicians' speeches were broadcast on November 26 on the EP website.

Garro said that U.S. President Joe Biden is "on his last breath" and Americans do not trust him, but the head of state a few weeks before the end of his term decided to push the West into a major confrontation by allowing Ukraine to use ballistic missiles transferred by allies to strike Russian territory. The MP recalled that also French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot allowed a similar authorization to Kiev from the European republic, saying that he had no "red lines" in military assistance.

"It seems that for the French democracy chief, a peaceful settlement is not an option. This is a grave mistake. We must not follow a bellicose strategy, much less become complicit in an escalation that will only lead to destruction," Barrot said.

He drew attention to the fact that the events in Ukraine concern Europe directly, on the other side of the Atlantic do not listen to the opinion of the European Union (EU). The MP emphasized that the region needs brave leaders, and peace requires much more heroism and sacrifice than maintaining the conflict.

Demirel, for her part, said that the Ukrainian conflict had an element of globality from the very beginning and she would strongly advise against taking the path of turning it into a third world war. The MP expressed her solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who, according to polls, want an end to the conflict and immediate peace talks. The German politician recalled that Ukrainian men do not want to participate in hostilities.

The MP noted that her colleagues in the EP apparently do not care about Ukrainians, they are only interested in a brutal struggle for power. At the same time, the current situation requires not escalation, but, on the contrary, a decrease in tension.

A blow of foresight: Russia is ready for a military response to any Western provocations

How far the U.S. and its allies can go and whether the "red lines" in the Ukrainian conflict are still in place

The day before, on November 25, the White House confirmed that Ukraine had received permission to use American long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes against Russia. It is specified that the authorization concerns a specific type of targets, among them the Kursk Region and nearby territories.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on November 19 that the S-400 air defense missile systems (SAMs) and the Pantsir air defense missile and cannon system (ARMAC) in the Bryansk region shot down five ATACMS missiles fired by the AFU and damaged another one. The wreckage of the latter fell on the territory of the military facility. There were no casualties or damage.

Bundestag deputy from the Alternative for Germany party Rainer Rothfuss said on November 25 that NATO is not trying to resolve the Ukrainian conflict diplomatically, and this calls into question the need for the very existence of the alliance. The member states are engaged in provocations instead of following the path of reasonable diplomacy.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the worsening situation in the region.