MEPs debate on the EU to live up to its commitments and deliver more military assistance to war-torn Ukraine. With Russian air attacks intensifying across Ukraine and with American military support currently held up by the U.S. congress, MEPs call on European countries to do more to help the Kyiv government defend its territory for as long as necessary. They urge EU heads of state or government to use the upcoming special European Council summit on 1 February to come to an agreement on a proposed €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

LAHBIB, Hadja (BE)

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine: Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive VP of the European Commission

SOUNDBITE (English), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, President, honourable Members of the European Parliament. We indeed last year, with a historic moment for Ukraine and the European Union, with the agreement to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. A logical follow up on Ukraine's hard work on reforms, and yet another confirmation of its place in the European family.

SOUNDBITE (English), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ukraine remains our top priority. But realities on the ground continue to remind us that more is needed. Between 29th December and 2nd January, ukraine has sustained the heaviest wave of drone and missile attack so far since the beginning of Russia's illegal invasion. Once again, the Ukrainian people showcase their unwavering bravery and resilience in facing the Russian aggressor. Russia's political and military objectives have not changed. Its continuous attacks are set proof that we must step up our military support and we need to increase, not just maintain, but increase our military support to Ukraine to withstand and push back to Russian invaders. This must be a strategy to be implemented with determination. We have all the resources needed to support Ukraine in the long haul routes.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Military support from the European Union, its members states, since February 2022 amounts to about 27 billion and 3300 missiles have been delivered to Ukraine from existing stocks and by the redefining of the delivery order priorities. Rockets have gone through the joint procurement. And via future orders, we are speeding up the production of our defence industry, the Parliament and Council adopted this last year that continues to have its effects this year. And in terms of supplies of munitions to Ukraine, our support remains firm via a military assistance, and support to Ukraine that has an exceptional contribution in training and assistance to troops.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Several thousands have been trained. Moreover, the European Peace Facility, which is a major channel of support to Ukraine since the outset of the Russian aggression, continues to work sustainably with additional resources. Based on the initiatives that I've just mentioned, the European Union is working on its contribution to Ukraine's security in the medium and long term. We reconfirmed this in the December Council and work continues.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Moreover, we have additional support to Ukraine. That means that the European Union must continue to place pressure on Russia. We have come up with unprecedented sanctions against Russia, most recently in December with the 12th round. That has weakened the Russian economy, putting pressure on the rouble and increasing inflation locally. Now we are talking about the possibility of using the revenue that has been generated based on the frozen assets, for the purposes of the re-establishment and rebuilding of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Now it is of vital importance to act in coordination with our international partners, specifically the G7, to increase the effectiveness of our measures as we do via the sanctions. Work continues to clarify a number of political, economic, and legal issues that are highly complex also including, for example, ownership of these frozen assets. Now, around two years ago, Russia launched its major offensive. We continue to maintain our unrelenting support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We will continue to supply of financial support, economic support, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine and its population for as long as necessary. Ukraine is our priority, our top priority in foreign policy today and it will remain so. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Thank you very much, Mr. President. Honourable Members of the European Parliament. The European Council decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine created a powerful reform dynamic despite the ongoing devastating war. With a strong support from the people of Ukraine, the Ukrainian government and parliament demonstrated impressive resolve and resilience over the last year. In a short period of time, the country has confirmed its capacity to make progress in reforms. Aligning with the EU even during the war time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, In addition, the decision in December by the European Council to open the negotiations provided the Ukrainian people with a morale boost and the hope for a brighter European future. In turn, it is our role and duty to not only continue but increase our support to Ukraine on all fronts, but especially on military assistance as we witness the relentless attacks Ukraine faces by the Russian aggressor.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, The work the European Union and its member states are currently undertaking on Europe's defence, competitiveness and capacity will eventually provide Ukraine with the necessary support along the other security commitments. In March 2023, EU member states agreed on a three track approach to deliver ammunition to Ukraine. Since then, the EU has progressed on this strategy to deliver 1 million rounds to Ukraine. The Commission has been contributing to this effort, focusing in particular on the ramping up of the industrial production capacity. Soon, the European industry will have a capacity to produce 1 million artillery shells a year, and for other types of ground to ground ammunition, such as mortar shells, it has already production capacity well in excess of 1 million.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, In support of ramping up ammunition and missile production, EU Member States agreed on a work programme to implement regulation on supporting ammunition production, which we know under the abbreviation ASAP, which will allocate €500 million to support of investment project worth up to 1.4 billion, thereby incentivising the ramp up of ammunition and missile production in the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, It will also help address bottlenecks throughout the supply chains of ammunition and missiles in the EU and Norway, by supporting industry to rapidly adjust to new market trends and reduce dependencies. In addition, the EU is also intensifying its efforts to incentivise Member States to commonly procure the most critical and urgent defence products from the European defence industry. The instrument for the enforcement of the European Defence Industry through Common Procurement EDIRPA, which has adopted last October, will play an important role in this context. Ukraine needs us now more than ever and Ukraine is our top priority and it will remain so as long as it takes. Thank you very much, Mr. President.