The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group warns that the recent violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones are a clear signal that years of trying to appease Vladimir Putin have failed.

“Putin only understands the language of force, and any behaviour that, in our Western understanding, is a sign of reason and compromise, is for him a sign of weakness and an encouragement to further aggression”, ECR Foreign Affairs Coordinator and Polish delegation leader Adam Bielan said speaking in Strasbourg.

For too long, Europe ignored warnings, while projects like Nord Stream gave Moscow the money and confidence to expand its aggression:

“The economic miracle of many European economies was not based on hard work, but on cheap Russian energy. As long as German chancellors find jobs at Gazprom, it is difficult to believe in European solidarity”, Bielan said.

“The late Polish President Lech Kaczyński said in Tbilisi in 2008 that Russian aggression against Georgia was a prelude to further aggression, the West pretended not to understand. Mrs Merkel and successive German governments, regardless of their party colours, promoted the Nord Stream project.”

Bielan warned that Europe must finally draw the right conclusions from these past mistakes: “European Solidarity must be built on strength and the readiness to defend our values.”

The ECR Group calls on the EU and NATO to respond with a united policy, making it clear to the Kremlin that Europe will not be divided.