On Wednesday 12 March, MEPs emphasised that, with the apparent change in the US position, the European Union and its Member States were now Ukraine’s main strategic allies and should maintain their role as Ukraine's main financial backer.
In the joint resolution adopted by the S&D, Greens/EFA, EPP, Renew Europe and ECR groups (442 votes in favour, 98 against and 126 abstentions), MEPs also welcomed the proposed 30-day ceasefire agreed between the United States and Ukraine on 11 March (see separate news item). The oral amendment tabled by Michael Gahler (EPP, German), which was adopted by plenary, states that: “the ceasefire can only be an effective and efficient means of suspending hostilities if the aggressor adheres to it". MEPs therefore expect Russia to accept this and cease all attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population, infrastructure and territory.
To deter any further Russian aggression, Parliament believes that the EU must help to establish “solid” security guarantees for Ukraine. According to the MEPs, Kyiv must also be given the means to reject hasty agreements that would weaken its security in the medium and long term and expose it, “as well as other European countries”, to the risk of renewed Russian aggression.
The European Parliament strongly deplores any attempt to blackmail the Ukrainian leadership into surrendering to the Russian aggressor for the sole purpose of announcing a so-called peace agreement. “Any genuine peace negotiations must be conducted in good faith and include Ukraine”, add the MEPs, who welcome the launch of a ‘coalition of the willing’ aimed at implementing a possible peace agreement under the aegis of Europe.
Parliament also reiterates its call for Member States to “considerably” increase and speed up their military support, saying it must be “sufficient to ultimately stop Russia’s war of aggression and allow Ukraine (...) to re-establish full control over its entire territory within its internationally recognised borders and deter any further aggression by Russia".
To see the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/fwe (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)