David Alkhanishvili, TAU President’s Adviser on International Issues, delivered a speech at the briefing of the European Economic Senate
On March 1, 2022, the European Economic Senate conducted a briefing on the situation in Ukraine. The event was moderated by Michael Jaeger, Chief Executive Manager (CEO) of the European Economic Senate. David Alkhanishvili, TAU President’s Adviser on International Issues, delivered a speech in which he said:
“ The situation in our country is very difficult. Because the hostile Russian troops intensified the practice of terror, killing civilians, destruction of our cities and towns, not being able to overcome the strong resistance of us Ukrainians. The Russian enemy is shelling entire residential areas in cities where there is no critical infrastructure, where there are no positions of the Armed Forces in which Russians could aim. This is the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Having lost offensive capabilities, the enemy focused on the encirclement of our capital, the city of Kyiv.
As of 12:00 on March 1, 2022, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the enemy of the Russian Federation Armed Forces were: aircraft – 29, helicopters – 29, tanks‒ 198, APV ‒ 846, artillery systems– 77, Anti-aircraft warfare systems — 7, MLRS — 24, fuel tanks — 60, UAV operational and tactical level — 3, boats– 2, Vehicles — 305.
In personnel — 5710
Prisoners – 200.
During the 6 days of the war, the occupiers violated many international conventions, committed hundreds of war crimes and dozens of crimes against humanity. The most horrible and revealing crimes of the last days are:
— In Kyiv they are trying to destroy the TV tower
— shelling by systems of jet volley fire of Kharkiv — https://youtu.be/rrwI0Azjr44
— air strike in the center of Kharkiv (at least 11 people were killed in a missile strike in the center of Kharkiv, more than 30 were injured) —
https://twitter.com/i/status/1498556657802096641
— The use of 9K720 Iskander ballistic missiles and 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missiles continues, including on settlements and social infrastructure. — https://youtu.be/HJcekn-YpMg, https://t.me/Pravda_Gerashchenko/747
— medical institutions and civilian facilities are systematically affected — https://ukrainenews.fakty.ua/397449-pod-kievom-okkupanty-obstrelyali-roddom-foto?fbclid=IwAR1c4QHsaxaxW3D5TiMdk6ssP773UD-TEQhZLsQPTy00BMuJxqLRy45jmMY, https://ua.korrespondent.net/ukraine/4452849-na-kyivschyni-pid-chas-obstriliv-zahynuly-chetvero-luidei
As a result of Russia’s actions, Ukraine has suffered hundreds of military and civilian casualties, destruction of cities and infrastructure. Putin is raising rates, trying to sow panic and chaos, to force the country to capitalize. At present, Ukraine’s air defense is the enemy’s main target, and if it is damaged, military and civilian casualties will increase.
Ukrainians are very grateful for the unprecedented support of many countries around the world, but it is imperative that NATO immediately close the skies to Russian aircraft and that Partner countries provide modern, effective air defenses and anti-battery radars.
Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is especially relevant for us now. On February 28 this year, Ukraine officially applied to join the European Union under a special simplified procedure.
Europe will not be able to stay away from this issue. We are grateful to our partners for being with us. But our goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal. I’m sure that’s fair. I’m sure we deserved it.
At the moment, it is time to accept Ukraine into your European family, not in words but in deeds.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to our heroes defenders! ”
The briefing ended with an agreement that David will provide information to the European Economic Senate on the situation in Ukraine using verified news sources. Mr. Jaeger agreed to actively inform the necessary people, and to attract their help to Ukraine in this difficult time for all of us.
