Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1467437
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 MAY 2022 NEWS War II. "You are commemorat- ing the 80th anniversary of the events of the Malta battle in the second world war. IT was one of the most decisive. The resilience of your people in some ways de- fined the future of the Mediter- ranean." Beyond that, he said that Malta's battles in the war even helped dictate the future of Eu- rope. Zelenskyy described the bom- bardments in Odessa. "When Europeans commemorate the victims of the second world war, and celebrating Europe Day, 25 missiles were fired by Russia in Odessa, all on civilian targets." He turned to Mariupol, where over 90% of all buildings have been destroyed. "They've creat- ed an artificial famine, blocking access to food and medicine." "The city of Mariupol and its defenders continue their resist- ance. We're using all diplomat- ic instruments to rescue them. Russia hasn't moved on any of the proposed options. We've asked partners to provide weap- ons to unblock Mariupol, but the amount we'd need have not been provided." Again, he recalled Malta's brutal bombings in the 1904s. "Thank God Britain implement- ed the mission with the Spit- fires." "We need planes and special artillery. Like then, the future of Europe will be decided on the battlefield." Sanctions Zelenskyy turned to sanctions. "The aggressor has to be hurting and be damaged as much as pos- sible. Russia blocked our ports in the Black Sea - this means the food blockade of agricultural exports, pressure on the global supply market if we can't export wheat, barley, sunflower oil. "People in the North Africa and Asia will be lacking in food, and prices will go up. There could be new migration crisis, which I think you can feel already in the neighbourhood." He turned to Maltese-flagged vessels, which he said are some- times used to deliver Russian energy supplies, and warned against issuing golden passports to Russian nationals. "Accepting and welcoming Russian passports are very dan- gerous things. It's dangerous for Europeans and Maltese. It's time to stop the privileges for Malta offering passports and dual cit- izenship. Don't allow to abuse yourself." Here. Robert Abela was seen jotting down a quick note. Nonetheless, Zelenskyy said he was grateful that Malta already took certain decisions to protect European security. "I count on your support. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you Malta, and Glory to Ukraine." Robert Abela Abela began by thanking Zelenskyy for giving a detailed account of the struggles and hardships Ukrainian nationals are facing. "Too many innocent children, women, men and civil- ians have lost their lives already." "The Maltese government and people are by your side as we continue to respect the territori- al sovereignty of your country, as bound by the UN charter. While we are small, bound by our con- stitution on the principles of neutrality and non-alignment, and geographically away from the war, doesn't mean we're blind or deaf to your suffering. We'll speak where and when it matters, in international fora and in the structures of the EU." He said Malta will advocate for a ceasefire and continue to pro- vide assistance as best as he can, such as by providing non-lethal equipment, medicine and ser- vices, while contributing to the European peace facility. He added that Malta will con- tinue to welcome Ukrainian ref- ugees coming to Malta and help them settle into the community. "No matter how far the conflict is, the effects stretch far and wide." "We'll continue to implement agreed EU level actions, put pressure on diplomatic talks to materialise." On the issue of golden pass- ports, Abela said he froze ap- plications for Russian and Be- larussian citizens, and had also revoked citizenship for a Russian individual who was eventually impacted by the sanctions. Abela stated that the key to re- solving the conflict would be to have Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine, while initiating dialogue and effective peace talks. "You are not alone. Malta stands with Ukraine." Bernard Grech Grech expressed the party's solidarity with Ukraine and Zelenskyy. "This war doesn't concern just Ukraine but the entire free world. If the arbitrary attack of a CoE state is allowed, then arbitrary and illegal actions will go unpunished." He said the party takes pride in how Roberta Metsola, as Eu- ropean Parliament president, was the first to visit Ukraine and meet with Zelenskyy to show solidarity on behalf of the Euro- pean Parliament. Grech, like Zelenskyy, then turned to the Second World War. "We stood our ground against nazism and fascism with success. This is why the George Cross still embellishes our na- tional flag. It's true we're strong. We can't provide weapons and military equipment, but we have a heart that reaches out to you." He said Malta also fought for EU membership, and said he will work to have Ukraine be consid- ered a prospective applicant into the union. "We cannot belong to a military alliance, but this doesn't mean we don't have an opinion to ex- press, and a voice to be heard. Indeed, our membership in the EU has given us huge financial benefits and a large measure of security without belonging to a military alliance." He said Ukraine's identity is European. "When Gorg Borg Ol- ivier, soon after achieving inde- pendence in 1964, led our coun- try to the Council of Europe, said this is us returning home after a long absence." "May you soon join the EU. When that happens, Ukraine will return home after a long ab- sence. During that absence, you will be supported by friends and allies. Please, Mr President, con- sider us one of your friends and allies." will be decided on the battlefield'