Since Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has been standing firmly with Ukraine and its people. The EU has condemned Russia’s aggression, imposed sanctions, and provided significant financial, humanitarian and military support. As the war continues, the EU remains resolute in its support for Ukraine. The fight is not only about territorial integrity, but also about defending European values: democracy, sovereignty and peace.

Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has supported Kyiv by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material support.

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Відколи Росія розпочала незаконне повномасштабне вторгнення в Україну в лютому 2022 року, ЄС підтримує Київ, засуджуючи російську агресію, запроваджуючи санкції проти винних та надаючи фінансову і матеріальну підтримку.

Війна Росії проти України

In an extraordinary plenary session, Parliament debates and votes on the European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine, on the day that marks four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion

Extraordinary plenary session: Four years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

European Parliament buildings lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and puts up Ukrainian flags to mark the Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine - Ukrainian flags and lights in EP Buildings

Key debate on the proposed Ukraine peace plan and EU commitment to a just and lasting peace. MEPs are joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre for the Council presidency. Plenary votes on a resolution on Thursday.

EU position on the proposed plan for peace in Ukraine

The new programme is designed to strengthen the EU’s defence industry, foster joint European procurement, ramp up manufacturing and increase support for Ukraine.

The draft regulation, informally agreed with the Council and to be debated and voted on by MEPs in plenary on Tuesday, will establish the first-ever European defence industry programme (EDIP). The scheme seeks to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base and boost European defence capabilities.

During negotiations with member states, MEPs championed the “buy European” principle: for defence products to secure funding, the cost of their components originating from non-associated third countries cannot exceed 35% of the overall cost of components.

The programme will also set up a legal framework for European defence projects of common interest and a Ukraine Support Instrument (USI). Of EDIP’s €1.5 billion budget, €300 million would go to the USI, to help modernise Ukraine’s defence industry and ease its integration with Europe’s.

EP Plenary debate on the European Defence Industry Programme

A “reparations loan” to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence is the subject of a debate with Commission and Council representatives.

The EU is working on an ambitious initiative to unlock €185 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets. Announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month during her State of the Union speech as a “reparations loan”, the assets themselves would not be touched and Ukraine would only reimburse the loan once Russia pays the reparations. EU leaders will be discussing this plan at their summit on 23-24 October.

Background

After Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine, the international community prohibited all transactions involving the assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia. As a result, €260 billion of these assets worldwide are currently “immobilised”, with more than two thirds (about €210 billion) in the EU. Depending on the interest rates, revenues from these immobilised assets can total up to €3 billion annually.

EP Pleanry debate on the stepping up funding for Ukraine and using frozen Russian assets

On Tuesday morning, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas debate security guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine, as well as the country’s path towards EU membership.

During the debate on EU action to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine, speakers are also expected to take stock of the outcome of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska during the summer, and the continued Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities following the summit. 

MEPs will also discuss a report prepared by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which encourages the Ukrainian government to keep up the momentum on implementing reforms along the path towards EU membership. The draft resolution, to be voted on XXXXXXTuesday, also commends Ukraine for its extraordinary efforts in strengthening its democratic institutions at an extremely difficult time, with Russia’s war of aggression raging on.

Plenary debate on security guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine

On Tuesday, Parliament assess the outcome of the 6 March Special European Council with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen and discuss the need to bolster Europe’s security.

In a joint debate on European security, MEPs assess the results of the 6 March special European Council convened by President António Costa to discuss Ukraine and European defence and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, as President Donald Trump’s new US administration has paused support for Kyiv and raised questions about future US defence engagement in Europe, MEPs will hear from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how the EU plans to strengthen its defence capabilities.

On Tuesday morning, MEPs also outline their expectations for the 20 -21 March EU summit, which is expected to focus - besides Ukraine - on the Middle East, Europe’s competitiveness, trade policy, and migration management.

In a separate debate on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs and representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission discuss the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled by the Commission and the European External Action Service in mid-March 2025. The white paper will address defence sector capability issues, industrial competitiveness and investment needs. It should also frame the overall approach to EU defence integration, and outline how best the EU can respond to security threats. Plenary will wind up the debate with a vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

Debate on the EU summits and on the urgent need to bolster Europe’s security architecture

EU leaders are meeting for a special summit to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defence and exchange views on European contributions to the necessary security guarantees required to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is invited to the meeting.

Since the start of Russia’s military aggression, the EU and its member states have provided nearly €135 billion in support for Ukraine and its people, including €48.7 billion to support the Ukrainian armed forces.

The EU has also adopted unprecedented sanctions against Russia: the latest sanctions, adopted on 24 February 2025, target vital areas of the Russian economy, including banking, Putin’s shadow fleet and goods and technologies in the industrial and energy sectors.

More info: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2025/03/06/

Special European Council

EP Extraordinary Plenary Session - Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine - Voting session

EP Extraordinary Plenary Session - Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine

Photo exhibition by Ukrainian journalist Serhii Korovayny

4 years anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine : lighting up of Station Europe buildings with colors of Ukrainian flag

4 years anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine; Ukrainian and EU flags in front of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg

4 years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine - Resilience of the Ukrainian people - Kyiv

EP Plenary Session - European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis

EP Plenary session -  Position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine

Ambiance shots inside the European buildings, corridors and in the chamber before the European Parliament extraordinary plenary session.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: editing shots from the extraordinary Plenary session

MEPs are voting on the European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine, on the day that marks four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. In the text of the non-legislative resolution MEPs hold Russia and its allies entirely responsible for the war and the ensuing crimes, they also stated that any future Ukraine-Russia peace agreement must be underpinned by robust security guarantees for Kyiv, finally they call for more EU sanctions against Russia and further energy decoupling.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine: Voting session

MEPs are giving speeches at the extraordinary plenary session for the four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine: MEPs debate

Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine delivers remotely a speech at the extraordinary plenary session for the four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine: statement by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine (remote)

Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine delivers a speech remotely at the extraordinary plenary session for the four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine (without cutaways)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President makes an opening statement at the extraordinary plenary session for the four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This news item presents extracts from MEPs debate on the subject of current situation in Ukraine during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

Four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the extraordinary plenary session

This video news shows the buildings of Station Europe in Brussels lighting up with the colors of the Ukrainian flag as a message of solidarity with Ukraine.

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Videos

Photos

Photosets

Audios

Events

Media published for this tag

388

Videos

129

Photosets

3

Audios

3,902

Photos

18

Events