MEPs outline their demands and expectations for the EU-Ukraine summit in a debate with the Commission and Council. They expect to reiterate their call that the EU should continue to support the country, for a special tribunal to punish Russian crimes and support to immediately deploy modern weapons and a next-generation air defence system to Ukraine. Opening statements by Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence and and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

JONSON, Pål

special meeting of the European Council 9-10 February 2023 (T)

EU - Ukraine summit 3 February 2023 (T)

Preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit: opening statements by Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence and Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration

SOUNDBITE (English), P&aring;l JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, President. Honourable members. Commissioner. I would like to thank the European Parliament for its strong and continued engagement on Ukraine. Your interest in the preparations of tomorrow's 24th EU Ukraine summit is much welcome. This will be the first summit since Russia launched its full scale invasion and also the first one since Ukraine was granted EU candidate status.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, The EU will use this occasion to reiterate our message loud and clear. The EU is strongly condemning Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and it will continue supporting Ukraine as long as it takes, both politically, financially, military and humanitarian aid.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, In the response to Russia's aggression and with the support of this parliament, the EU has so far mobilised over €37 billion, including €18 billion of macro financial support packages for 2023. The estimated total amount of EU and Member States military support is above €12 billion. This brings the overall support of the EU and its Member States to Ukraine close to €50 million. In addition, the EU has offered assistance to the millions of Ukrainians who have fled the war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, Our combined pressure on Russia and other responsible actors through nine packages of sanctions is also unprecedented. Cutting off Russia from the technology and revenues it needs to continue its war of aggression. We will continue working on the restrictive measures and their full implementation. Honourable Members EU Ukraine. Bilateral relations are stronger than ever. The EU has obtained the status of EU candidate country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, Tomorrow the EU leaders will reiterate our support and encouragement to Ukraine's reform efforts, which are particularly impressive considering these difficult times. And we will commit to further deepening our relationship, including through the new Priority Action Plan for the DC FTA 2023 2024 Easing Ukraine's Access to Our Internal Markets. At tomorrow's summit, the EU will reconfirm its support to Ukraine swift relief and reconstruction from demining to health and rehabilitate station.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, The EU will reiterate our support for President Zelenskyy initiative for Just Peace and underline that the EU's commitment to working with Ukraine to mobilise broad international support. It is important to underline that Ukraine's genuine stands for peace. Russia has not displays such a willingness. On the contrary, Russia continues intensifying its brutal war of aggression with global consequences, including when it comes to food security.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, Honourable members allow me to praise once again the active and swift support of this Parliament for the EU macro financial assistance to Ukraine. Ukraine now has a predictable financing schedule for this year. Ukraine receives the first tranches of €3 billion when no other international funds for 2023 had yet reached the country. We also welcome this Parliament's strong political stance expressed in various resolutions in support of Ukraine and condemning Russia's blunted violation of the international order.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence, Let me be clear. And those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes will be held accountable. We will continue supporting the investigations by the International Criminal Court. There can be no impunity over the crimes committed on the Russian occupation. We will also need to work to ensure the accountability for the crime of aggression. Tomorrow's summit will once again demonstrate that the EU will continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you very much for your attention.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, Madam President, honourable Members. Today and tomorrow, the first ever college to government meeting with Ukraine and the 24th EU Ukrainian summit will take place in Kiev. They will send a very clear message to Ukraine and beyond about our continued unwavering support to Ukraine for as long as it takes and our collective strength and resolve in countering noxious, brutal aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, The College to Government meeting and this summit will provide an opportunity to take stock of the Union's ongoing support to Ukraine across all areas, including financial, humanitarian and achieve budget support, military support and diplomatic outreach. We will discuss the reform efforts by Ukraine, the further alignment of its legislation with the EU A key, and we will outline further steps to enhance sectoral cooperation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, Ukraine's destiny is in Europe. Our common European past was decided last June by granting the status of candidate country to Ukraine. The Commission will support Ukraine throughout the whole accession process, despite the continuing ruthless attacks of the aggressor. We are seeing a major momentum of reforms in Ukraine. Of course, as we will know, the EU accession path is a marathon, not a sprint. The European Council will decide on the next steps unanimously.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, The discussions in Kyiv today and tomorrow will focus on reform with this and the steps necessary to help Ukraine further line its legislation to the Union, following the Commission's analytical report, which was just published, complementing the Commission's opinion on Ukraine's EU membership application.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, To support the reform process and increase Ukraine's resilience, we are announcing a new support package worth €400 million, including €145 million in humanitarian assistance and €305 million in bilateral cooperation. The Commission also confirmed to the Ukrainian government that the setting up of the six areas of the multi agency donors coordination platform Brussels is progressing well, including preparation for secondments from G7 countries and other partners.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, This announcement followed the first meeting on the 26th of January of the Steering Committee of the Donors Coordination Platform. The coordination platform will be key to help match needs and resources for Ukraine's repair, recovery and reconstruction efforts. Ukraine's accession process works together with its integration of the internal market. The basis of our relationship was already strong with the Association Agreement and its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, The suspension of all tariffs and trade defence measures on Ukraine imports through the autonomous trade measures has benefited both sides, despite the very difficult circumstances. We will propose to extend these measures soon. We will also discuss with Ukraine our support across all relevant areas, such as Ukraine's association to additional EU programmes which will strengthen its economy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, Moreover, within the line will propose the suspension of Ukraine's financial contributions for participation in union programmes for as long as Ukraine's financial challenges remain. As we urgently continue to cut off rations and fossil fuel imports. A memorandum of understanding on renewables gases will be also endorsed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, The strategic partnership in this area reflects the significant potential in Ukraine and the high degree of integration of renewables in the energy market and in infrastructure. Ukraine's reconstruction cannot be dissociated from Russia's responsibility for its war of aggression. The atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine will not go unpunished, and all options are on the table to ensure full investigation and prosecution.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, We support the development of an international centre for the prosecution of crime, of aggression in Ukraine, in The Hague. The objective would be to coordinate investigations of the crime of aggressions against Ukraine and preserve InStore Store evidence for future trials. This coordination centre would be linked to the existing Joint Investigation team supported by Euro just.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for budget, Russia's military aggression has shown that Ukraine belongs to Europe. We share the same values, the same aspiration for democracy and freedom, and we will stay united for as long as it takes.