MEPs called on Thursday 24 February for tough sanctions to be imposed on Russia after it went to war with Ukraine, during a debate organised by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Security and Defence Subcommittee, with the participation of members of the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada).
The President of the European Parliament and political group leaders decided to hold an extraordinary plenary session on Tuesday 1 March to debate the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We are living in the darkest hour of our continent, perhaps the worst moment since the Second World War”, said Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during the debate with MEPs.
“A nuclear-armed power has launched a full-scale invasion against a democratic neighbour”, he said. He referred to “the threat of nuclear retaliation” against those who try to help Ukraine. The High Representative “condemns this barbaric attack, which is not justified”. He also denounced Belarus’ participation in the war. The package of sanctions against Russia will be presented this Thursday for adoption, he said. He referred to “sectoral and individual” measures.
Russian gas. Mr Borrell also spoke of the work underway to end the “EU’s dependence on Russian gas” as soon as possible. Technological and financial measures must be taken to find alternative energy options, especially renewable energy.
Aid to Ukraine. Mr Borrell recalled that the EU had released an initial aid package of €1.2 billion for Ukraine. MEPs called for more help for Kiev and for Ukrainian refugees to be welcomed in EU countries.
David McAllister (EPP, Germany), chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, called the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin “unjustified and condemnable”. “We cannot stand idly by and watch this happen”, he added.
Sanctions against Russia should be applied and additional aid should be provided to Ukraine, demanded Mr McAllister.
Cyberattacks. Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France) insisted on measures to help Ukraine and the EU deal with the growing number of cyber attacks. She wants to know how StratCom is being mobilised to flush out massive Russian disinformation.
Real sanctions. Members of the Ukrainian parliament regretted the delays in adopting sanctions against Russia.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze called for EU countries such as Germany, Cyprus and Italy to agree to exclude Russia from the Swift system. Kiev is surrounded, and the authorities are being attacked for the purpose of overthrowing the Ukrainian government and replacing it with puppets who will be able to implement the Kremlin’s agenda, she denounced.
We need to act very quickly, said Vadym Halaichuk, who also criticised EU countries that oppose Russia’s exclusion from the Swift system. He also called for the closure of airspace to Russian aircraft.
Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, Poland) spoke of the need to hit Russia with drastic sanctions and to bring Ukraine closer to the EU.
Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) called for an ambitious package of sanctions, including on Swift. “Our American friends can also interrupt American Express, Visa and MasterCard, so that every Russian citizen who has this card will realise that something unjustified is going on”. He also called for the closure of airspace to the Russians.
Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia) also called for tough sanctions against Russia and said the EU should improve its resilience.
Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, Germany), who denounced Russia’s imperialist ambitions, said that “the EU must overcome its divisions”. “The Russian economy must be weakened”, he also stressed. “Putin must be turned into a pariah”, he concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)