Luxembourg will be on the right side of history in 2025, says PM Frieden

"There are moments in the history of a country or a continent when you feel that something fundamental is happening": This is how Prime Minister Luc Frieden opened his government statement on recent developments concerning Ukraine and European security in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday afternoon.

Frieden highlighted the significance of last Friday's events at the White House, which he described as marking a clear shift in how the United States has approached its relationship with Ukraine thus far. This change, compounded by US Vice-President JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference and the potential halt to arms shipments to Ukraine, represents a fundamental change in US policy and its ties with Europe, according to the Luxembourg PM.

Reiterating the core issue at hand, Frieden emphasised that Ukraine was attacked without provocation, making this conflict a blatant violation of international law. As such, Luxembourg remains committed to supporting Ukraine both financially and militarily, he declared. Additionally, Frieden stressed that Ukraine must have a seat at the negotiating table when discussions about its future take place. He drew a parallel, stating that just as Europe's security cannot be determined without its involvement, neither can Ukraine's.

Frieden argued that any ceasefire agreement must be grounded in a vision of lasting peace, underpinned by credible security guarantees. To this end, Luxembourg stands ready to contribute to such guarantees if necessary, though he clarified that Luxembourgish troops would only deploy to the region as part of a broader European or international peacekeeping mission.

Touching on transatlantic relations, Frieden expressed confidence in the enduring friendship between Luxembourg and the United States, even amid challenging circumstances. He acknowledged the United States' historic role in securing Luxembourg's freedom and underscored the importance of continued cooperation within NATO. Frieden concluded by urging the United States not to neglect its responsibility for maintaining peace in Europe.

Parliamentary debate

Prime Minister Luc Frieden's swift and clear response following the shocking White House meeting drew praise from MP Laurent Zeimet of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV). Zeimet described Frieden's reaction as a strong signal, echoing the prime minister's stance that it was the Russian president who initiated the attack on Ukraine, thereby violating international law. "We can no longer act as if nothing has changed," Zeimet emphasised, adding that the world has undergone a radical transformation, necessitating "courageous action" to address the new reality.

MP Gusty Graas of the Democratic Party (DP) highlighted a growing rift between the United States and Europe, criticising what he perceived as the US president's humiliation of Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Graas characterised this incident as "an attack on civilised coexistence." In response, he advocated for the European Union to strengthen itself both internally and externally. "We need to implement a common defence policy and recogniae that peace will require substantial financial investment in the years ahead," Graas stated.

MP Yves Cruchten of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) expressed scepticism about the reliability of the United States as an ally, asserting that the post-World War II global order is now defunct. "We are living in historic times," Cruchten remarked, calling for a more politically unified Europe capable of speaking with one voice on the global stage. To achieve this, he urged the abandonment of the principle of unanimity in decision-making. Additionally, Cruchten stressed the importance of enhancing Europe's defence capabilities through consistent and increased investment.

In contrast, MP Fred Keup of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) adopted a differing perspective, advocating for peace even at the cost of perceived justice. "We prefer an unjust peace to a just war," Keup declared, arguing that Ukraine is unlikely to emerge victorious in the ongoing conflict and that dialogue with Russia is now essential for achieving peace. The ADR also questioned whether European citizens would support further expenditures on armaments. Keup's remarks sparked significant criticism and debate within parliament.

MP Sam Tanson of the Green Party (Déi Gréng) highlighted the implications of the "America First" policy, noting that it effectively leaves "Europe alone" in navigating its security challenges. She emphasised the need for Europe to speak with one voice on the international stage, arguing that the principle of unanimity hinders this objective and should be reconsidered. Tanson warned against underestimating Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambitions, cautioning that there is no guarantee his actions will be confined to Ukraine's borders. In light of this, she advocated for European rearmament as a means of securing peace, stressing that the continent must be prepared to defend itself without external assistance.

MP Sven Clement of the Pirate Party echoed calls for greater European independence, stating that the continent has relied too heavily on the United States for too long and should not delude itself into thinking that the US position will change again after Trump's second term. Clement argued that Europe must strive for autonomy not only from the US but also from Russia and China. Like Tanson and Cruchten, he called for the abolition of the principle of unanimity within the EU to facilitate more decisive action. Additionally, Clement urged increased investment in Luxembourg's military capabilities.

For the Left Party (Déi Lénk), MP David Wagner emphasised the importance of providing comprehensive economic support to Ukraine, urging Europe to do everything possible to aid the Ukrainian state and people financially. While acknowledging the necessity of military assistance when required, Wagner cautioned against viewing it as a standalone solution to the crisis. The Left Party proposed that Europe commit to cancelling Ukraine's debt and leveraging assets seized from Russian oligarchs to benefit the Ukrainian population.

Tributes paid to former honorary MPs

The Chamber of Deputies took a moment to honour two former honorary MPs who recently passed away.

André Biver, an LSAP politician and longtime public servant, died on 15 February at the age of 86. Known for his service as councillor, member of the municipal executive board ("Schäfferot"), and mayor of Wiltz, Biver was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1989.

The second tribute was for John Schummer, who passed away on 22 February at the age of 73. A dedicated representative for the DP, Schummer served as an MP from 1992 to 2004 and was also a local councillor in Kopstal. Beyond politics, Schummer was an accomplished athlete, playing for the Luxembourg men's national handball team and as a goalkeeper in football.

President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of André Biver and John Schummer, who were present during the session on Tuesday afternoon.