Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is not only an attack on the sovereignty and people of Ukraine. It is an attack on European values and all those who work for lasting peace in Europe. The Party of European Socialists (PES) stands with Ukraine, and against the threat to the very foundations our European Union is built upon.
This message was clearly delivered at the PES Congress in Berlin, on stage by PES leaders and in the PES resolution adopted by PES delegates.
The PES is deeply concerned that not all political families are honest defenders of European values. European citizens will remember the alliances that have been forged with political forces that do not believe in the European project.
PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“The idea that an EU party leader can exchange “sweet letters” and gifts with Vladimir Putin during the wartime, it is almost unthinkable. And at the same time, the head of the European political family to which that party belongs, stays silent?
“Everyone can see that Berlusconi’s actions are unacceptable, apart from Manfred Weber, who likes to cuddle up with him in pictures, it seems. The question is very simple: should people who violate sanctions be brought to justice? And would he answer the same way if Berlusconi is found to have broken the law?
“If Manfred Weber keeps quiet, democrats in Italy and in the EU will not, we will keep expressing our deep concerns about the direction of the EPP.”
The PES believes that the statements by Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the EPP member Forza Italia, are extremely serious, his views on Vladimir Putin risk placing the right-wing coalition far outside European and western values.
