When asked what motivated MEP Pozņaks to become a politician, he explained that he was elected due to his involvement and activism on behalf of the people in Ukraine. In 2022, he initiated the Twitter Convoy, an organization that collects and repairs cars and delivers them to Ukraine for soldiers, doctors, schools, and kindergartens. To date, more than 3,000 cars have been delivered, and the initiative continues. MEP Pozņaks has received several honorary awards for this work.

MEP Pozņaks mentioned that the main reason he joined the European Christian Political Party was because he shares the party’s Christian, conservative, and family values. He explained that Russia’s attempts to monopolize traditional values- such as support for the traditional family- have made it difficult for public figures to express conservative viewpoints, as these are quickly labelled as pro-Kremlin. Some actors indeed misuse and instrumentalize the Christian values, he noted, which is why there is a need for genuine Christian conservatives such as those represented by ECPP.

President Ghileţchi welcomed MEP Pozņaks to ECPP and expressed gratitude for his decision to join the party: “We are happy to have a new member who shares our values. I greatly appreciate MEP Pozņaks’ work for the Ukrainian cause. As ECPP, we support Ukraine in this unjust war of aggression from Russia. We need to achieve a just peace and ensure that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is preserved.”

According to MEP Pozņaks, the war in Ukraine exposes Europe’s own weaknesses. Europe was, and remains, slow in sending defense equipment to Ukraine. People in Latvia are acutely aware that Russian aggression might not stop with Ukraine; they could be next. Therefore, Ukraine should not be supported simply out of sympathy, but because it is fighting for the security of the whole of Europe; by supporting Ukraine, Europe is defending itself.

ECPP President Ghileţchi, himself from Moldova, added: “As long as Ukraine resists, Moldova is safe. The security of Europe is tied to the security of Ukraine.” He emphasized that justice, security and peace are core priorities for ECPP, but that peace in Ukraine must be a just peace, not peace at any cost.

MEP Pozņaks also argued that European institutions have been slow to act. While the European Parliament is often willing to do more for Ukraine, it is frequently overlooked that the European Union consists of 27 independent Member States, which makes rapid action more difficult. “We have never defined what victory is, or even our strategy,” MEP Pozņaks said. He warned that the war has implications far beyond Ukraine, raising the question of whether the world will remain governed by a rules-based order or descend into one ruled by brute force. Russia is committing war crimes, and these cannot be ignored, especially given that Russia previously escaped accountability for crimes committed after the Second World War because it emerged as a victor.

President Ghileţchi added that there is a fundamental difference in military doctrine between the West and Russia. NATO and Western countries focus on defense, while Russia seeks conquest. Using a chess analogy, he explained that the West plays for balance and deterrence, while Russia plays to dominate. History shows that peace cannot be achieved through weakness.

“Our task is simple,” MEP Pozņaks argued: “Europe must become physically stronger.” This does not necessarily require new policies, but real military capability. While this raises questions about sovereignty and federalization, he insisted that increased cooperation within the EU is essential. President Ghileţchi added: “In times of war, unity on defense and security is essential, while non-urgent issues can be left out of focus and instead preserve national competences.” The silver lining in this war is that both Ukraine and Moldova have been granted EU candidate status, advancing their paths toward European integration, and contributing to the enlargement and strengthening of the European project.

NATO remains the main pillar of European security, both agreed, but Europe must become a stronger partner within the Alliance and less dependent on the United States. That would insulate the European countries from the potential mood swings and policy shifts in the White House.

Both President Ghileţchi and MEP Pozņaks concluded by countering the false narrative that having conservative values equates to being pro-Russian. “ECPP is here in the European Parliament promoting these Christian values and fundamental freedoms, precisely because they are at the root of the European project” President Ghileţchi said. “We must stay united, pray, and act to ensure a bright and safe future.”

“This war is a fight for values and for the rule of law,” reiterated MEP Pozņaks at the end. “It is a fight for our existence as Europeans, and we must stand with Ukraine until victory.”

Watch the full conversation in the video above or on YouTube.