Rasa Juknevičienė
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · LT
“Mr President, dear colleagues, a very good report, thanks to all the hard work, but I am very worried about the sharp clash between Ukraine and Poland due to their painful common history.”
“Reikia kuo skubiau investuoti į savarankišką Europos Sąjungos dirbtinio intelekto infrastruktūrą. Būtina efektyvi gyventojų švietimo dėl dirbtinio intelekto sistema. Struktūriškai einame teisingu keliu.”
“Madam President, in the title of the debate, I would change the word 'normalising' to 'legitimisation' – legitimisation of war crimes. Both the red carpet roll-out in Alaska, the return of Russian teams to sports competitions, and their participation in the Venice Biennale mean one thing – the legitimisation of war crimes.”
“Madam President, colleagues, Yerevan is becoming the capital of democracy in the South Caucasus. It is certainly not perfect yet, but it is a real hope for all of us that a stable peace will be established and the Armenian people will open up to cooperation. For us, the EU, this region is an extremely important neighbourhood.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, we must speak in substance. Helping Ukraine in this war is the main task of all of us today. I was very pleased with the words spoken by the President of Finland: 'Instead of thinking that Ukraine needs Europe, perhaps we should think that we need Ukraine more in Europe'.”
“Mr President, tomorrow marks 36 years since the parliament of my country bravely voted for the independence of Lithuania. Five divisions of the Soviet Army were still being stationed on our soil. Some in the West doubted. Later, we bravely chose membership in the EU and NATO. Some here doubted whether it was really necessary.”
The complete record
Every one of 43 lines we hold for Rasa Juknevičienė, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“I think there is no other way than open recognition of history and agreement. However, the sharp war on history that has broken out today is very dangerous and beneficial only to one side: Putin's Russia. 2-0416-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, a very good report, thanks to all the hard work, but I am very worried about the sharp clash between Ukraine and Poland due to their painful common history. I will not attempt to assess which side – Ukrainians or Poles – is now contributing more to stoking the fire, but I have one request: to assess the context in which we all live and to take the side of a constructive path. The Polish-Lithuanian example shows that old enemies can sit down at the same table, not to force each other to adopt the other side's view, but to evaluate history honestly. This may be the only way forward in this conflict as well. Armia Krajowa will never be heroes in the memory of Ukrainians. The UPA will never be heroes in the memory of poles. This must simply be understood and accepted.”
“Reikia kuo skubiau investuoti į savarankišką Europos Sąjungos dirbtinio intelekto infrastruktūrą. Būtina efektyvi gyventojų švietimo dėl dirbtinio intelekto sistema. Struktūriškai einame teisingu keliu. Dabartinėje Komisijoje Hennos Virkkunen portfelis jau aiškiau konsoliduoja dirbtinio intelekto klausimus vienoje politinėje atsakomybėje. Linkiu Jums sėkmės, Henna. Laiko neturime daug. 2-0069-0000”
“We must not be afraid to maintain a strong backbone now; this is our responsibility to future generations. (The speaker declined to take a blue-card question from Tomasz Froelich) 3-0426-0000”
“Madam President, in the title of the debate, I would change the word 'normalising' to 'legitimisation' – legitimisation of war crimes. Both the red carpet roll-out in Alaska, the return of Russian teams to sports competitions, and their participation in the Venice Biennale mean one thing – the legitimisation of war crimes. Imagine if you did this to Hitler, and then you would understand what it means to open the door to Putin at the G20 meeting in Miami – to Putin, who has already morally lost the war in Ukraine, and now we must focus and increase pressure on this evil of the 21st century. The EU, the European states that will participate in the G20 must already make it clear: they will not be in the Trump residence with the war criminal Putin.”
“The Armenians are reaching out to us. Let us extend our hands as well. More democracies in Europe, more peace! 2-0519-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, Yerevan is becoming the capital of democracy in the South Caucasus. It is certainly not perfect yet, but it is a real hope for all of us that a stable peace will be established and the Armenian people will open up to cooperation. For us, the EU, this region is an extremely important neighbourhood. The upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia will be a kind of referendum on the future of the country. Similarly, as in Moldova, the Kremlin is throwing all its instruments at it to regain influence. I do not believe that they will succeed. I will quote a sentence from Prime Minister Pashinyan's address to the European Parliament: '... if the EU accepts Armenia as a full member, it will be great. If it doesn't, then we will still benefit because we will be a country that has fully complied with the EU standards'.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, we must speak in substance. Helping Ukraine in this war is the main task of all of us today. I was very pleased with the words spoken by the President of Finland: 'Instead of thinking that Ukraine needs Europe, perhaps we should think that we need Ukraine more in Europe'. The US President's policy towards Ukraine, towards the war in Europe, has unfortunately extended Putin's opportunities to kill civilians in Ukraine. I fear that we are going down the wrong path if Russia is indeed invited to the G20 meeting. We here in Europe will become even more vulnerable and Ukrainians will continue to be killed, if we fail to prevent the legitimisation of Putin's policy. We must agree as soon as possible that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until the last Russian soldier leaves Ukrainian territory.”
“Mr President, tomorrow marks 36 years since the parliament of my country bravely voted for the independence of Lithuania. Five divisions of the Soviet Army were still being stationed on our soil. Some in the West doubted. Later, we bravely chose membership in the EU and NATO. Some here doubted whether it was really necessary. I am proud that we were brave enough. Today, the entire EU needs brave decisions. Ukraine is defending Europe more than some EU members. We need Ukraine and others as much as they need us. We live in times when extremely creative decisions are required. Let us abandon our fears and allow the EU to make decisions faster. The enlargement of the EU is vital because the completion of the continent is an investment in our defence. 2-0421-0000”
“That is why today I invite you to sign a letter calling for at least two of the structures committing crimes in Ukraine – the FSB and the Rosgvardiya – to be recognised as terrorist organisations. We can – and must – win this war against absolute evil, whose name is the Russkiy Mir. Russia must be defeated and punished, just as the Nazis were defeated and punished. Slava Ukraini! 1-0046-0000”
“Madam President, dear all, my first point: a miracle near Kyiv. This is what historians will one day call Russia's failure in February 2022. Let's try to imagine Europe today if Russia had succeeded in occupying all of Ukraine in the first weeks of the war. It's clear today: Europe was defended by Ukrainians. We owe Ukraine – not them, to us. All people of goodwill understand this. But I am ashamed that there are people like Viktor Orbán in Europe. I believe that the Hungarian people will soon help us all rid Europe of this disgrace. My second point: I do not believe in deals with Putin. Those who are forcing Ukraine to give up its land need to see what Russia has done in the occupied territories. Thousands have been abducted, tortured, or have disappeared. This is systematic, organised terror.”
“Mr President, we do not yet know the full scale and brutality of the crime committed against its own people by the Iranian regime. It is possible that people are being killed there even as we speak. I support the EPP's call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and demand the immediate adoption of further sanctions against the regime. I have great respect for the brave people of Iran. I have lived under a dictatorship of communism and I know that, for thousands of people, taking to the streets is an almost impossible mission. But the brave Iranians did it, despite the terrible tragedy that has occurred. The regime's time is coming to an end, but there remains great bitterness about the actions of the US president. After encouraging protests, he suddenly backed down.”
“Mr President, no one disputes that Arctic security is important not only for the US, but also for us, Europe. It has long required much more serious attention and work – and we, the EU and NATO, can do this together. However, the crisis in NATO and the threats to Greenland and Denmark caused by President Trump are an even greater security challenge than the problems in the Arctic. I am trying to imagine a situation – that is now quite real – when the Kremlin demands that Moldova, for example, be given to Russia, because this is a vital security interest for them. Or the Baltic states. Already now, Kremlin propaganda boldly says that they will take Svalbard from Norway. Pandora's box has been opened. We in Europe must stay firm and unconditionally stand on the side of international law, Greenland and Denmark.”
“I call on the leaders of the Member States to understand this and remember the famous expression of the American statesman James Freeman Clark: 'A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.' European statesmen and stateswoman, let us think not only about next election, which is important, but also about the next generations. 3-0088-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, in my country, Lithuania, the absolute majority of people believe in the European Union and they are waiting for even faster decisions, especially regarding aid to Ukraine, frozen assets, the Eastern Flank Watch and the European Drone Defence Initiative. People understand that the EU is becoming the mainstay not only of our prosperity, but also of our security. Our pensioners are not richer than the Spanish or Belgians, but they understand the scale of the threats well. In the Lithuanian budget, 5.38 % of GDP will be allocated to defence next year. The next couple of years will be the most dangerous for European security.”
“The most important strategic provision of the European plan is that Ukraine will become a member of the EU as soon as possible. We must already integrate Ukraine into all EU defence projects being developed. Today, Ukraine is no less important for our own security than the United States has been for us until now. We are on the right track, but the fruits of the strategic defence decisions we make now will come later. And the most dangerous period is now. There is a long and difficult road ahead. Let's not be afraid to speak openly to our people. We have no other choice. We have to take great responsibility for Europe's security. 3-0043-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, what happened last week is Putin's rescue plan. Russia is a monster on clay feet, like the collapsed USSR. And Putin desperately needs Washington's hand. Ukraine needs peace more than anything else. Russia wants to continue its aggressive policy. The only way to just and long-lasting peace is to help Ukraine to win and not be afraid to punish the aggressor. There will be no good, long-lasting deal with Putin – just as there was no good deal with Hitler. What is our role, the EU's? It is essential! Today we need a European plan not only for Ukraine's European future, but also for Russia. We need a plan not for Putin's rescue – which some in Washington are doing – but a plan for Russia to become a normal state. You say it's unrealistic. Let Putin lose in Ukraine; then we'll see.”
“And finally, my request to socialists: your colleagues, Lithuanian Social Democrats, have formed a coalition with an openly anti-Semitic, far-right party of friends of the Kremlin. It, like Orbán, has started attacking the national broadcaster, intimidating its journalists. You must react and stop it, because this is where the protection of democracy begins – it must begin from ourselves. We have to fight and stop their lies, like Moldova did. 2-0112-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, we are at war. Kremlin hybrid warfare strategist, Kosatchev, openly says that their target is our societies. They want to change the thinking of the people. Lies are the main weapon and tool of the Kremlin. Unfortunately, Russian lies are constantly going out from the European Parliament platform through the Kremlin proxies. And they do this paid for by EU money, receiving salaries and even money to spread the Kremlin's narratives through social networks. What they are spreading here about Russia's war against Ukraine is not freedom of speech. This is the spread of a totalitarian ideology called Russkiy Mir. This is the same as if they were spreading Hitler's Nazi or Stalin's ideology.”
“Mr President, this war is not only about Ukraine, but also about us. It is an existential war for all of Europe. Russkiy Mir – Russian World – ideology is a form of fascism, the same evil this continent has seen before. Wars are won first in people's minds, and we must win this war. We must stop trembling at every word coming from Washington, DC. One day Americans will realise that Putin is simply mocking their president. Europe is on the right path, but we need speed. Putin fears that his friend Orbán will lose, so he has turned to meet Trump in Budapest. This is an attempt to kill several birds with one stone: to humiliate Ukraine, to help Orbán and to further undermine EU unity. We must not give in. We must defend a free Europe. 3-0290-0000”
“They are fighting for a safer, freer Europe. The more democracy there is to our east, the stronger and safer we all will be. Zhyve Belarus! 3-0104-0000”
“Madam President, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the elections even though they were stolen from the Belarusian people through brutal force. Five years have passed, but no one in Belarus suddenly started loving the dictator Lukashenka. The Belarusian opposition, together with the elected President, stands as an example for other nations fighting against the same Kremlin tyranny and its proxies. They are not only working tirelessly to raise awareness of their nation's suffering; they are also clearly shaping an alternative vision – a European, democratic Belarus. Ukrainians, Moldovans, Georgians and Belarusians are all fighting for the same cause. They stand against Putin's aggressive Russian world – Russkiy Mir – ideology, which seeks to dominate a large part of Europe. Let's not grow tired of supporting Belarusian democratic forces.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, for the first time ever, I have decided to speak in a debate about Serbia – and not because my country, Lithuania, has long been Serbia's rival in basketball. I wanted to speak today to offer a message of encouragement. Serbia's choices matter – not only for its people, but for all of Europe. I fully support the students who are protesting and fighting for a democratic Serbia. Only a genuine and stable democracy built on openness can heal the pain and scars left by history. The completion of democratic Europe is not just a political goal; it's our shared existential mission. Democracies in Europe are the only way to lasting peace in our continent. I truly hope that the Serbian nation will find its future on the European path. 2-0532-0000”
“Madam President, my main message today is simple: let's take this step decisively. It is a crucial decision. The European Parliament's position has been clear since April 2022, when we first called for Russia to pay for the destruction it inflicted, including through the confiscation of Russian frozen assets, in full accordance with international law. Putin's Russia, which continues to harm Ukraine, must not get its money back until it has fully compensated for the damage it caused. I want to congratulate the European Commission and Council on finding a sound legal solution. We must stand in solidarity with Belgium and other Member States, and share the responsibility for this decision together. We are on the right path. Let's stand firm. Let's fight evil together. 2-0489-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, the time of 'we are deeply concerned' is over. Russia tested NATO. Will NATO dare to respond adequately? It depends on the attitude of the United States. I only know one thing – let's stop waiting for a miracle. The only way is ourselves – Europe. It is absolutely clear what we must do. Firstly, Russia must be contained and defeated. Secondly, more help for Ukraine now. Thirdly, strengthen the eastern border, including the drone border now. What do we need to do here in the European Parliament? We need a shield from the Kremlin proxies, from Putin's friends inside who are poisoning people's minds with lies. When Putin stands in Lviv it will be too late. Wars are won first in the minds. We are already at war – let's fight. 4-0134-0000”
“Mr President, dear Moldovan brothers and sisters, we once suffered together under the Soviet Empire – losing lives, freedom and prosperity, and enduring forced Russification. Today, the absolute majority of Lithuanians are happy to live as a free European state. My country is the best example of what EU membership can give a nation. The upcoming elections in Moldova are existential. The Kremlin wants to drag you back with lies, saying Europe will ban your religion, force you to change your gender, make you participate in gay Pride parades or involve you in war. None of this is true! The Kremlin proxies will offer you money for your vote. They will scare you and lie to you. But I assure you: the EU strongly supports your membership. However, the choice is yours. I trust you will choose freedom, truth and your European future.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, let's be clear: Ukraine and its European future are as important to European security today as the United States was to Europe in the decades after World War II. All normal people want peace. However, peace at the expense of Ukraine and on Russia's terms could be the beginning of a major catastrophe for all of Europe. Europe needs a strategy for Ukraine if Trump's bid to end the war fails. We need a European plan to lead the fight for Ukraine's and our future. Its core is to help contain Russia and integrate Ukraine into a pan-European defence alliance. What must we do today? Provide significantly greater financial support for Ukraine's defence. This is money for our own defence as well. 2-0019-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, I have decided to address you using the words of the Belarusians who continue to fight. The essence of this debate is captured in two quotes from Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who was just released from Lukashenka's prison. First, about Putin, I quote: 'Because of Putin, this illegal government is still in Belarus.' Second, about the situation of political prisoners, I quote: 'There were skin diseases and everyone had kidney problems from the cold – and no one really understood what was happening. Blood came out of my mouth, from my nose. Sometimes I had convulsions, but it was all because of the cold, that terrible cold when you sit in those punishment cells.' So what should we, the EU, do? Not to be afraid to defeat Putin and his puppet Lukashenka. Slava Ukraini! Zhyve Belarus! 2-0406-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, my first message: engagement policies and economic dependence on autocratic regimes are dangerous. This is exactly what happened to us with Putin's Russia. Let's not make the same mistakes. Secondly, the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment cannot be ratified until China stops its economic coercion against EU Member States. China's economic coercive actions against Lithuania and the EU back in 2021 grossly violated the legal norms of the World Trade Organisation. These discriminatory trade restrictions, directed at an EU Member State, challenged the unity of the entire bloc. Failing to take appropriate action against China's economic coercion will cause long-term damage to the reputation of the European Union as a reliable geopolitical actor. 2-0053-0000 Procedura "catch-the-eye" 2-0054-0000”
“Vă întreb: contextul actual, cu războiul din Ucraina, ar trebui să ne ducă la concluzia ca Republica Moldova să fie în procesul de aderare separat și nu luată împreună cu Ucraina? 4-0018-0000 Rasa Juknevičienė (PPE), blue-card answer. – Yes, I think that we have to change our rules, especially on veto rights, at least in some decisions, like for example, sanctions or other issues. But now I think that we have to start negotiations with Ukraine as well as Moldova as soon as possible. Ukraine is ready to start negotiations, to open negotiation chapters now. 4-0019-0000”
“Such an understanding requires leaders in each Member State. That's why I end my speech with a James Freeman Clark quote: 'A politician thinks of the next election, a statesman of the next generation'. At least, let's think about both, about the elections and about the next generations. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 4-0017-0000 Maria Grapini (S&D), întrebare adresată conform procedurii „cartonașului albastru”. – Lărgirea spațiului Uniunii Europene, din punctul meu de vedere, este o necesitate și ați spus-o și dumneavoastră. Considerați că înainte de a face procesul de aderare a altor state, ar trebui să reformăm și să modificăm tratatul legat de posibilitatea de inițiativă a Parlamentului European?”
“Mr President, I'll start with a Ursula von der Leyen quote: 'EU enlargement is an investment in our collective security'. I completely agree. A bit late, but very true words. One of the reasons why Putin started this war is the grey areas of insecurity in Europe. If we had had such an understanding and decisions, at least immediately after the annexation of Crimea, there is a high probability that Ukraine would not be attacked today. Not too late. We have that chance. It is necessary to seek consensus in our societies that enlargement is as important for the future of the EU as defence. In essence, enlargement is an integral part of our defence union. The unification of the European continent on the basis of democracies is in our own interests. Either a larger, secure, strong EU or Russia and China closer to our borders.”
“Ukraine is already acting as a de facto NATO member. Ukraine is the cornerstone of European security. We are making an existential historical mistake again by allowing Russia to use a veto on NATO decisions. Let's stop spreading the Kremlin's narratives – NATO expanded because us, nations and people wanted and still want it. NATO, like the EU, is expanding for stable peace, not for war. 3-0033-0000”
“Madam President, I appeal to the leaders of the Member States. We cannot make any more mistakes and let dictators think that we are weak, that democracies are unable to defend themselves. We could have been on safer ground if we had mobilised all possible military assistance to Ukraine when their brave soldiers pushed the Russians out of Kharkiv and Kherson two years ago. But then there were frightened voices of the threats of world war three. And here we are, approaching it, because those who had to act were scared. Responsibility for the security of the continent is passing into the hands of the Europeans as never before. However, I completely disagree with the approach to Ukraine's membership in NATO. This country is already sacrificing more for NATO, for us, than many NATO members themselves.”
“Ukrainians are able to produce defence equipment much cheaper and faster, so let's purchase this equipment directly from Ukraine to double the value of our investment and boost support for Ukraine's defence. We will win. 3-0034-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, German Nazism was defeated 80 years ago, but imperial communism, left undefeated, has evolved into Russian fascism. Let's not repeat the mistakes of history. Russian fascism will not stop after gaining Ukrainian territories, just as Hitler did not stop after annexing Czechoslovakia. On the contrary, achieving just and sustainable peace is impossible without the defeat of Russian fascism. Ukraine is an integral part of the EU's defence. The EU's contribution for helping Ukraine is significant, but still not enough. I call on Member States to use the SAFE instrument with EUR 150 billion loans to support Ukraine's defence.”
“Therefore, the EU, together with its partners, must have a plan on how to preserve the spread of free speech. 2-0449-0000”
“Mr President, when entering the Lithuanian city where I grew up, two towers still stand, built by the Soviets. Their purpose was clear: to block the signals of Radio Free Europe, Voice of America and Vatican Radio, silencing the voices of freedom. I even remember the hour when my grandma would try to catch free speech through the crackling. Personally, I am grateful to the United States for supporting free speech. Because of that, I stand before you today as a citizen of a free country. I can only imagine the joy communists would have felt if Radio Free Europe had been shut down by Washington. Now it is happening before our eyes. All autocrats are happy. The space of democracy, especially on the European continent, is our security interest.”
“Third, geopolitical thinking. Despite being from the Baltics, I would like to particularly emphasise the importance of the Black Sea region for European security. Fourth, the ability to include non-EU countries in the defence format: Great Britain, Norway, Canada, Türkiye. Putin helped the EU understand the importance of security. Maybe Trump will help the EU regain self-confidence to create a strong European defence for peace. 2-0171-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, populists are manipulating peace and saying that the EU should not take on defence issues. On the contrary, precisely to bring lasting peace to the European continent, we need a strong European defence while maintaining the transatlantic bond. The democratic world is much stronger than Putin's Russia. We could have already won if the aid to Ukraine had been sufficient when the Ukrainians pushed the Russians out of Kherson and Kharkiv, but then there was a fear of Putin's blackmail and fear to defeat Putin. Now, Trump has fragmented the power of democracies, and we have a much more complicated situation. What do we need? First, common threat perception in Member States. Second, solidarity and trust – first of all, the ability to implement ReArm EU in solidarity and help Ukraine with this instrument.”
“There will be no long‑lasting peace in Europe without a Ukrainian victory. There will be no strong and competitive Europe without a free Ukraine and a defeated imperialistic colonial Russia. Slava Ukraini! 2-0093-0000”
“Mr President, this debate on Ukraine is fundamentally about us, about Europe and its future. Our future has two opposing scenarios: one in the event of a Ukrainian victory, the other, very dark, if we fail to help Ukraine to win. In Davos, President Zelenskyy said, 'Let's not forget, there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia. And European leaders should remember this.' He called on Europe to get serious about its security. That's why we need a clear plan for Ukraine's victory now. We need to act fast. I stress, a victory plan! It's not just about weapons. That's the most important thing today. But there is more. It's also about enlargement. About energy policy. About technology. About industry. About everything that will make Europe a global player. It's impossible without Ukraine.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the Belarusian nation has deep European roots. Russia enslaved this nation back in the Tsarist era, when it annexed most of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. We Poles, Lithuanians and Belarusians commemorate the heroes of the uprisings against Tsarist Russia together. They are the pride of our common history. Let's make no mistake: Belarus is not Russia. The Kremlin would very much like the Belarusian nation to disappear completely so that Belarus would not remain on the map of Europe. Belarus, ruled by the dictator Lukashenka today is the result of the colonial, imperial policy of Russia. Our interest is a democratic Belarus. Therefore, we must support by all means the tireless struggle of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her supporters for the European future of their state. 2-0443-0000”