On the eve of the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv (see EUROPE 13112/5), the European Parliament reiterated its support for Ukraine in a debate and then in a joint resolution.
“Let’s imagine where Ukraine would be if we stopped listening to it, if we stopped supporting it; let’s not be afraid, let’s continue the fight, let’s continue to support Ukraine”, summarised Stéphane Séjourné (French) on behalf of Renew Europe.
In their joint resolution adopted by 489 votes to 36 with 49 abstentions, the European Parliament continues to call on the EU and Member States to provide Ukraine with all necessary political, military, economic, financial, humanitarian and infrastructure support.
“Putin must see what our real power is”, warned Iratxe García Pérez (S&D, Spanish), explaining that for every Russian action, the EU will react, whether in terms of humanitarian aid, sanctions, military support or making Russia pay in international justice.
Several group representatives highlighted military support. “What Ukraine needs most of all are weapons; it cannot win the war without weapons. We are all aware of this, but are we sufficiently determined?”, asked Poland’s Beata Szydło for the ECR. The resolution also calls on Member States to increase and accelerate their military assistance to Ukraine. The European Parliament “calls for consideration to be given to delivering Western fighter jets and long-range missile systems as a next step”, the text says.
In the debate, on behalf of The Left, Martin Schirdewan (German) denounced the European Parliament’s “war rhetoric” and called for the rhetoric of peace. “This terrible war requires us to take responsibility and seek ways to peace”, he said. He added: “The best help is to do everything possible to bring the war to an end as soon as possible and to use all the possibilities available to us, including diplomacy and high-level talks”.
In its resolution, the European Parliament calls on the EU to support the 10-point peace plan presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and to work towards the creation of an international coalition to implement this plan, as well as to discuss with Ukraine future security guarantees, such as those proposed in the Kyiv Security Compact (see EUROPE 13111/24).
MEPs also stress the importance of uninterrupted and rapid implementation of financial and technical assistance commitments to ensure Ukraine’s macroeconomic stability, restore critical infrastructure and maintain essential public services, while recalling the need for “responsible, transparent and efficient use” of aid.
Furthermore, the European Parliament calls on Member States to adopt the tenth set of sanctions against Russia as soon as possible, and stresses the urgent need for Russia to be held accountable for the war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression it has committed against Ukraine.
For MEPs, the summit should be an opportunity to focus on the need to create a comprehensive EU recovery plan for Ukraine, “which should be focused on the country’s immediate, medium- and long-term relief, reconstruction and recovery and further help to strengthen the growth of the economy”. “Reconstruction must be closely linked to the requirements of the accession process” of Ukraine to the EU, warned Michael Gahler (EPP, German). The European Parliament calls on participants of the summit to work towards the launch of accession negotiations and to support a roadmap setting out the next steps to enable Ukraine’s accession to the EU single market.
MEPs therefore invite the Ukrainian leadership to resolutely pursue the EU-related reform agenda. “Winning the war will not be enough [for Ukraine] to become a member of the EU; other fundamental steps must be taken as soon as possible. Even during the war, Ukraine is fighting corruption and its progress must become structural and accelerated”, warned Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/EFA, German).
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/56u (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)