Putin-Trump terms, EU accession and a path to punishing Orbán – an interview with Lithuanian MEP

Dainius ?alimas is a Lithuanian politician and lawyer who until recently headed Lithuania's Constitutional Court. Two months ago, during a session of the European Parliament, MEP Dainius ?alimas delivered a decidedly undiplomatic speech about the Ukraine peace negotiations, emphasising that "there are only two paths to lasting peace: victory or capitulation?" If this logic is sound, which way is Ukraine headed now, as it entertains the "peace" proposals of Donald Trump? Read more about the prospects for war and peace, Trump's policies, and the obstacles to Ukraine's EU membership in an interview with Dainius ?alimas by Sergiy Sydorenko, European Pravda's editor: Lithuanian MEP: "Orb?n's government can now be called a 'regime'.

The EU's patience may run out." "I don't have any idea what the end [of the war] will be, but let's be frank: when he speaks about his vision of how the peace agreement should be reached, he sticks to Russian conditions. So that's the capitulation of Ukraine."

"But it is contrary to international law, contrary to the rules-based international order. So we Europeans, together with Ukrainians, must stand against this." "Then there's the second choice - victory.

We have a formula and we must aim for it: the legitimate situation should be restored, which means the full restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity, meaning regained control over all the occupied territories, including Crimea." "But when it can be achieved in practical terms - that's a good question, and nobody knows the answer." "The final settlement should be in accordance with international law.

It's about the suspension of hostilities - even long-lasting ones." "Trump is not only destroying the international order, but attempting to destroy American democracy. His behaviour and actions are against the rule of law and are very similar to what Putin is doing."

"But I still hope that American democracy will be able to resist and to survive." "We are already seeing popular demonstrations, we are seeing the judiciary performing its duties and overturning some of the president's decrees." "America is indeed withdrawing from Europe.

Not physically yet, but ideologically, that's for sure. What the Trump administration is doing is much closer to autocratic regimes than to Europe. And he criticises Europe the same way as [Hungarian President Viktor] Orb?n, for example, or Putin.

They are all using our own concepts like freedom of speech against us." "Let's hope that after Trump's administration, America will be able to come back." "Ukraine will undoubtedly become part of the EU.

Without a doubt. No doubt about that. The decision is already taken.

And all the practical steps by the EU show that we are ready to open negotiations on the accession of Ukraine. We are also preparing ourselves for the future membership of Ukraine." "The most optimistic scenario is the participation of Ukraine in the European Parliament elections in 2029.

This is the aim we should pursue." "Yes, I agree there are obstacles. There's a veto by one member state - Hungary, led by Orb?n."

"But let's not forget that next year we will have elections in Hungary, and Orb?n is really afraid of losing them." "And the second thing is that the EU still has the instrument of suspension of voting rights for Hungary." "So if you ask me about Moldova, the fact that Moldova may start the negotiations earlier than Ukraine doesn't mean that it will become a member of the EU earlier.

It's a significant step, showing progress.

But it can be taken a year later, with the prospect of joining the Union at the same time, the way it happened with Lithuania - finally, we joined the EU on the same day as Estonia."

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