In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, Parliament says the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence.
MEPs welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They expect Russia to agree to it and follow it by ceasing all attacks on Ukrainian civilian population, infrastructure and territory.
Following an “apparent shift” in the US position on Russia’s war of aggression, “which has included openly blaming Ukraine for the ongoing war”, the EU and its member states are now Ukraine’s primary strategic allies and must maintain their role as its largest donor, according to MEPs. To uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence, the EU and its member states must significantly increase their much-needed assistance to the country.
Empower Ukraine to resist and prevent further Russian attacks
In order to deter further Russian aggression, Parliament says the EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine. The country must be empowered to reject hasty deals that weaken its security in the mid- and long-term and risk subjecting it and other European countries to renewed Russian aggression in the future (9). MEPs are deeply opposed to any attempts to blackmail Ukraine’s leadership into surrendering for the sole purpose of facilitating a so-called ‘peace deal’.(10)
The resolution also states there can be no negotiations on European security without the presence of the EU, and MEPs welcome the launch of a ‘coalition of the willing’ for the potential Europe-led enforcement of an eventual peace agreement (11). MEPs are dismayed by the US administration’s appeasement of Russia and targeting of its allies. (12)
Accelerate accession talks with EU
Ukraine’s future is as a member of the EU, MEPs insist, calling for the acceleration of accession talks. (19).
While urging the EU to prepare for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction with new funding, MEPs point out that Russia must pay for the massive damage caused in Ukraine. Russian sovereign assets immobilised under EU sanctions must be confiscated and used for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.(23)
Finally, Parliament calls for more effective sanctions to be imposed on Russia together with restrictive measures against any entity facilitating the circumvention of sanctions and providing the Russian military complex with military and dual-use technologies. (24)
The resolution was adopted by 442 votes in favour, 98 against and 126 abstentions.
