REUTERS
Europe passed a test of its unity in support of Ukraine with Wednesday’s decision by the European Parliament to provide Ukraine with EUR 1.8 billion in macro-financial aid, Gabrielius Landsbergis, a Lithuanian MEP of the European People’s Party, said following the results of the vote, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Brussels.
"Today's decision to allocate historically significant assistance to a country that is not a member of the EU shows that Europe has passed a test of its unity in support of Ukraine," Landsbergis said.
"Today, Ukraine is fighting not only for its own security and independence, but also for the security and democratic values of the EU, so the EU should help it by all possible means," he said.
According to Landsbergis, such financial assistance is "necessary, but not the last step."
"I am glad that the radically minded MEPs who support Putin failed to block this decision," he said.
Vice President of the European People's Party Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said the EU had to support Ukraine to foil the plans of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"The greatest gift for Russian President Vladimir Putin would be if the EU and the West allowed Ukraine to fail. We can’t let that happen. You find out who your friends are in times of trouble."