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Zelenskiy invokes the common European destiny
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Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Brussels on Thursday and the verbal solidarity was immense. “We are one family; family members help each other,” Ursula von der Leyen stressed. EU Council President Charles Michel promised the guest from Kyiv “maximum support”. However, this solidarity has not yet come in particularly concrete terms, as Stephan Israel analyzes.

Many people still pour money down the drain heating their homes because their house or apartment is poorly insulated. And this is likely to remain the case for some time to come. On Thursday, the Industry Committee voted in favor of numerous exemptions to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). About a quarter of the affected buildings is supposed to be exempt from the renovation obligation, as Manuel Berkel reports.

The Greens, in particular, are very strict when it comes to lobbying. But this week, such accusations against Green MEP Jutta Paulus have come to light. Now EPP members call for consequences: Paulus should withdraw as rapporteur for the EU legislative project to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector, EPP politicians demand.

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Alina Leimbach

Feature

Zelenskiy invokes the common European destiny

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the special European Council summit in Brussels.

The Ukrainian president was meant to feel right at home on his trip to the EU. After his European tour via London, Paris and Brussels, the Ukrainian president hopes for the delivery of fighter jets.

By
Stephan Israel

It is rare for a guest to be so eagerly expected in Brussels that the European Quarter rolls out the red carpet and receives them with great fanfare. But when Volodymyr Zelenskiy made his appearance before the EU Parliament and later at the EU summit, it was clear that he was meant to feel right at home. There were ovations, cheering and the Ukrainian national anthem. “You have inspired not only your country but the whole world with your resistance,” Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola greeted the guest. She said that Ukraine will win against Russia’s “brutal and illegal invasion”.

The Ukrainian president had arrived at Brussels Airport from Paris that morning with French President Emmanuel Macron, where he was received by EU Council President Charles Michel, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The only other person to receive such an honor is a US president.

Zelenskiy: ‘It’s about our common victory’

Zelenskiy is Europe’s war president, the man from the front. This was already made clear by his clothing. Alongside the suits, the Ukrainian president clearly stood out in brown pants, sturdy shoes and a black sweater. Volodymyr Zelenskiy also proved in Brussels that he is a good speaker. He had a tailor-made message for each audience. He praised the British government for the early as well as determined support and, at the same time, demanded fighter planes and long-range missiles.

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