A debate titled “The Environmental Impact of Russian Aggression in Ukraine and the Need to Hold Russia Accountable” took place in Strasbourg during the European Parliament’s plenary session. PiS MEPs Ryszard Czarnecki, Rafał Romanowski, and Anna Zalewska spoke during the debate.
Ryszard Czarnecki said that for Russia, this is a total war, which involves not only switching industry to a war footing but also supplying its own army with more than twice as many tanks in a year as the West has supplied to Ukraine. “It is also a total war in the realm of propaganda, minds, and mentality, because never before have cadet and officer schools in Russia faced such a siege as they do now,” he noted. According to the former vice president of the European Parliament, this is a total war also because it aims to destroy Ukraine’s ecosystem. As he pointed out, the destruction of the dam in Nova Kakhovka is a very telling symbol, but—as he said—it is not the only issue at stake. Ryszard Czarnecki stated that while some of the pollution is indeed the result of military operations, some of it is being caused in a completely deliberate and planned manner. “It is very important to show our solidarity on this issue at a time when our societies are growing increasingly weary of this war,” said the MEP, explaining that this applies to societies in both Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe. “This makes it all the more important to demonstrate unity today,” he urged.
Rafał Romanowski stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is proof that the European Union had been living under the illusion of a safe world. “We were preoccupied with ideology, and we ran out of time to prepare for a war that will eventually reach us as well,” he noted.
As he explained, armed conflicts do indeed have environmental consequences. “But is that really the worst part of them?” the MEP wondered, pointing out that the Russians are devastating Ukraine to make living conditions unbearable and to ensure that the costs of reconstruction would prevent Kyiv’s rapid integration with the West.
“The worst thing we can do is, while rebuilding our defense capabilities in the face of an inevitable conflict, continue to live in the illusion of peacetime and view everything through the lens of climate policy,” Romanowski said.
As he emphasized, military equipment—tanks, aircraft, and artillery—must above all be reliable and effective on the battlefield, not low-emission. “If we don’t start thinking in these terms, we’ve lost this war before it’s even begun,” the Polish politician believes.
Anna Zalewska emphasized that Russia is waging total war against Ukraine and Europe, murdering people and destroying the economy. “It wants to leave scorched earth behind; it is laying mines and destroying water supply systems and industrial facilities,” she pointed out. According to the MEP, the European Union, beyond expressing concern, must have a plan for how—first—to win the war; second—to find the money; third - clear Ukraine of landmines, and fourth, ensure that normal life can resume there. She said it is also necessary to identify funds to support Ukraine in restoring the environment damaged by the war. “Without specifics, without plans, all we’ll be left with are appeals. We won’t win the war that way,” she stated.
