Press release – Parliament stands firm with Ukraine four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by European Parliament, click this post to read the original article.

Opening an extraordinary plenary session marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “Four years on, the European Parliament has not let Ukraine down. Because we know that when we stand together, Ukraine and Europe stand strong. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, Ukraine’s freedom is Europe’s freedom, and Ukraine’s future is in Europe.” 

Addressing MEPs via video from Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the European Parliament’s continued support for Ukraine, saying “we truly feel many Europeans do care about what will happen to Ukraine (…) we never chose this war, we did not provoke it and we are doing everything we can to stop it”. He highlighted how Vladimir Putin’s “mentally unstable dictatorship” in Moscow poses an aggressive threat to both its neighbours and to Europe, and that Putin himself is simply unable to accept one simple thing: “that somewhere people can live differently and enjoy a life that is not the one he prefers”.

President Zelenskyy also stressed the need for credible security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent Russia from advancing its aggression in Europe. On the importance of maintaining “transatlantic unity and cooperation in the current conditions”, he said he is grateful to everyone working to preserve this globally important link. 

He further stressed the importance of implementing the EU’s EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine and of giving Ukraine a clear date for joining the EU. If there is no date, and no guarantee,, “Putin will find a way to block Ukraine for decades, by dividing you, by dividing Europe,” he added.

The Ukrainian President said that Europe must finally understand what fills Russia’s wallet and allows Putin to drag out his war. He called for strong sanctions, for an end to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, the shutting out of Russian banks from Europe, clamping down on sanctions evasion and Moscow’s shadow fleet, and denying Russian war criminals entry to Europe.

Russia, its leadership and Belarus are fully responsible for the war

In a resolution adopted by MEPs following Zelenskyy’s address and the ensuing parliamentary debate, Parliament strongly condemns Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter. MEPs hold Russia, its leadership and the regime in neighbouring Belarus, from where Russia launched attacks on Ukraine, fully responsible for the war, war crimes and the crime of aggression, while also strongly condemning the involvement of the Iranian and North Korean regimes.

Parliament demands Russia immediately cease its military actions, withdraw from all internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, release detainees and deported civilians (including children), and end its violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. MEPs also reiterate that they will continue to not recognise any occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian.

Robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine needed

In the text, Parliament affirms that Ukraine’s future lies in the EU. It recommends accelerating Ukraine’s integration into the single market and accelerating EU preparations for future enlargement through internal institutional reforms. It also calls on the EU and its member states to take greater responsibility for European security and to increase military, political, and diplomatic support for Ukraine.

MEPs further state that a future Ukraine-Russia peace agreement must be underpinned by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, comparable to NATO’s Article 5 and the EU’s Article 42(7) TEU, with any such agreement also having to respect international law, ensure accountability, include reparations, and not limit Ukraine’s right to self-defence or choice of alliances. They also stress that no decisions about Ukraine or Europe should be made without Ukraine or Europe.

To this end, the text welcomes new multinational security initiatives for Ukraine, including a proposed ‘reassurance force’ by Ukraine’s Western allies combined with security guarantees, but expresses concern that such guarantees would only take effect after a ceasefire is agreed upon. MEPs also voice concern about the current US approach to peace negotiations, as Washington appears to prioritise short-term dealmaking and the preservation of ‘strategic stability’ with Russia over genuine talks leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on international law.

Parliament demands further EU energy decoupling from Russia

The resolution calls for increased sanctions against Russia and for continued decoupling from Russian energy. Welcoming efforts to phase out Russian gas and oil, MEPs demand a further phasing-out of other Russian energy sources, including oil and all petroleum products, uranium, enriched uranium, and nuclear fuel and services, and the permanent decommissioning of the Nord Stream pipelines. 

MEPs also condemn the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and support international efforts to secure their return.

Parliament wants expanded sanctions against Russian institutions and officials involved in war crimes, stricter enforcement against sanctions circumvention, Schengen entry bans for Russian military personnel involved in the war, and for the Wagner Group and its successor entities to be designated as terrorist organisations.

The text was approved by 437 votes in favour, 82 against with 70 abstentions.