"If We Want Peace, We Must Prepare for War": Charles Michel

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has stated that following the military actions initiated by Russia in Ukraine, the European Union must transition to a "war economy" and do everything to ensure victory for Kyiv.

On the eve of the summit of European leaders in Brussels on March 18, Michel published an article on the Euractiv website titled "If We Want Peace, We Must Prepare for War."

Michel begins the article by recounting a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after the start of Russia's military operations. "Listening to Volodymyr Zelensky's gloomy voice over the phone: 'The bombs are falling on us, this is a large-scale invasion,' I realized that at that moment the entire security system that existed since World War II had changed forever. The EU must also change rapidly alongside it," writes Michel.

Two years after the start of the war, the European Council president adds, "it has become clear that Russia will not stop in Ukraine, just as it did not stop in Crimea ten years ago."

"Russia continues its destabilizing tactics in Moldova, Georgia, the South Caucasus, the Western Balkans, and even on the African continent," he writes.

Michel also warns that if Europe fails to respond adequately, it may become the next target. "If we do not properly organize the EU's response and fail to provide sufficient assistance to Ukraine to stop Russia, then we will be next," adds the European Council president.

In this context, Michel proposes that Europe reevaluate its approach to the economy, prioritizing defense issues by transitioning to a "war economy" mode. "It is time to take responsibility for our security. We can no longer rely on others or depend on the outcomes of elections in the USA or anywhere else," notes Charles Michel, likely responding to recent statements by former President Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy for the presidential elections and claimed that if elected, he would not defend NATO allies who do not allocate the necessary funds for their defense.