MEPs review the spring European Council and its outcomes with Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, and EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. EU leaders held an extensive discussion during their meeting on 24-25 March about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime, and the overall consequences for the EU’s economy. During the debate, representatives qualify "war crimes" the latest attacks in Bucha by Russian soldiers ; call on a strict stop of the gas importation from Russia and demand more support to the people of Ukraine.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

KELLER, Ska (Greens/EFA, DE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

MICHEL, Charles (BE)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

SÉJOURNÉ, Stéphane (Renew, FR)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

European Council meeting 24-25 March 2022

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022; including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation: extracts from the debate

Title: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 March 2022; including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, We must close the loopholes. We must target any attempt to circumvent sanctions and we are ready to move quickly. We further coordinated, robust sanctions. The new package includes a ban on coal import. And ladies and gentlemen, I think I think that measures on oil and even gas will also be needed sooner or later.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, - We have agreed to develop a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund. In the short term, it will help support the state of Ukraine. In the long term, it would provide massive investments to rebuild the economy and infrastructure.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, - On the issue of energy, let's be clear. Let's be precise. We have to phase out this dependence as soon as possible on Russian fossil fuels.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, - It shows the importance of acting now to diversify our sources of supply. The U.S., Canada, other countries, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Egypt, the countries of the Gulf. We have to act to accelerate this process. I think it is a strong message we need to put in place platforms where we can pool our resources and have common procurement. So we have a stronger leveraging here. And it's going to help us get to independence faster. It's going to help us deal with prices.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, We have to continue defending Ukrain. Only a few days ago, a member of this chamber told me that we had to put an end to the war as soon as possible. And in order to end the war, the best possible way would be to stop providing arms to Ukraine. But when the war comes to an end, how does it end? Yes, the sooner the better. But not in just any way. We're very interested in how this war is going to end, because if we're going to have a destroyed country, that has been dismembered, territorial and neutralised with millions of people in exile and millions of people dead, then no, we don't want this war to end like this. And in order to make sure that this doesn't happen, we have to continue supporting Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, They call it liberation. No, we call it war crimes, and we really have to give it this name. The European Union has set up a joint investigation team with Ukraine to collect evidence and testimonies on the ground. We will hold accountable those who are responsible for war crimes. The perpetrators must pay.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, - The U.S. provides us with at least additional 15 billion cubic metres of LNG gas this year. This gives us the opportunity to replace the Russian LNG this year. Second, for the coming years, we're aiming for at least an additional 50 billion cubic metres annually. This will give us the opportunity to replace at least one third of the Russian pipeline gas arriving in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (German), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), The deliveries of weapons at the moment simply are not enough. It is a scandal for Europe that we have not managed to increase production faster, that we cannot produce more weapons. We need heavy weaponry. We have the tanks being sent from the Czech Republic. That is a good signal. And if we are not going to put in place a no fly zone, then the Ukrainians need to have the weaponry to put that in place for themselves.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), The European Council agreement has to be the first step in order to set. Up a plan that will get inspiration from next generation EU in order to finance the three-fold effort required because of the war. I'm thinking of energy, defence and the welcoming. Of refugees, as well as the survival of the Ukrainian government.

SOUNDBITE (French), St&#233;phane S&#201;JOURN&#201; (Renew, FR), Another aspect which is often left aside in our discussions is the necessary to convince third countries to follow European sanctions through our trade links, sometimes through the money that we invest. I am surprised that some countries are not demonstrating more solidarity with Europe. We need to continue to convice with our EU diplomacy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), It's clear that we need solidarity amongst member states to deal with this crisis. Solidarity and sharing energy and infrastructure solidarity to enable measures, solidarity with everyone fleeing Ukraine and solidarity with a sovereign nation of Ukraine. Putin wants to divide us, and he has failed miserably. Our unity is our strength and we need more of it of unity, but also of courage.