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

Since the 2014 hostilities broke out, and especially since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the conflict has not only caused thousands of casualties, a refugee crisis and an economic shock, but it has also done severe harm to the environment.

The environmental impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine

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

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

EP President Roberta Metsola is in Kyiv to express Europe's continued and unwavering support for Ukraine. In her meetings with President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Svyrydenko and Rada Speaker Stefanchuk, as well as with the Faction and Group leaders of the Verkhovna Rada, Metsola is expected to emphasise the European Parliament's support.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Kyiv, Ukraine

MEPs assess the impact of three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its repression of dissent following Alexei Navalny’s murder.

In a debate on Tuesday morning, with representatives of the European Commission and the Council, MEPs will mark three years since Moscow launched its brutal military invasion of Ukraine. A resolution will be put to a vote during the March plenary session.

In a resolution adopted in January 2025, Parliament reiterated its firm support for Kyiv, called on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities, and withdraw from Ukraine. MEPs also called on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns justifying the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, MEPs will examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

On Wednesday afternoon, Parliament will debate the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

Debate on the continuing unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression

MEPs debate the situation of  European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the Council of Europe, at least sixteen journalists and media workers have been killed since February 2022 in the line of duty or because of their work, and at least forty have been injured.

Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. During her visit, President Metsola meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addresses the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and meets its Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as meets and discusses with young Ukrainians. Presidents Zelenskyy and Metsola speak to the press present after their meeting.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President in Kyiv (Ukraine) for Europe Day

On Tuesday, MEPs will discuss with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell the environmental destruction caused by Russia in its war against Ukraine. 
Russia's war has caused massive air, water, land and soil pollution, as well as significant damage to ecosystems, with the risk of spillover into neighbouring countries. Estimates based on Ukraine's environmental inspections show that Russia's invasion has inflicted roughly €52.4 billion in environmental damage.
Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, causing catastrophic flooding and  submerging thousands of hectares of land, has been condemned by the EU as an act of ‘ecocide’. 

In the debate with EU diplomacy Chief Borrell, MEPs are  set to highlight  the importance of  holding Russia accountable, , with Ukraine having stated its determination to make Russia pay reparations for the environmental damage.

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Environmental consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need for accountability

REGI - Exchange of views with Vadym Boychenko, mayor of Mariupol, Ukraine, on governing temporarily-occupied cities and territories from the exile

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

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

EP Plenary session - Phasing out Russian natural gas imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation

ITRE - Press point on Phasing out Russian natural gas imports

EP Plenary session - Stepping up funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence: the use of Russian frozen assets

Ukraine Independance Day  - Station Europe building in Brussels illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian flag

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

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)

The video presents testimonies from residents of Kyiv living without electricity following massive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It highlights the daily challenges faced by civilians amid prolonged power outages. Iryna, who lives on the 18th floor of an apartment building, describes the difficulties of managing daily life without electricity, including limited access to water, heating, and elevators. Olha speaks about caring for her 97-year-old mother under the same conditions. The video also features Lyalya from the NGO World Central Kitchen, which organizes food distribution for those affected by the attacks. Oleksandr, a 64-year-old pensioner and beneficiary of the organization, explains how he copes with the ongoing disruptions. The testimonies illustrate the humanitarian consequences of the strikes on Kyiv’s power facilities.

Infoclip: 4 years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine - Resilience of the Ukrainian people - Kyiv (Testimonials)

The video documents scenes from Kyiv four years after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. It shows the city during very low winter temperatures, with snow-covered streets and general skyline views, including power plants. Monuments and Ukrainian flags placed in the snow commemorate fallen soldiers. Footage shows partially destroyed buildings, indicating damage to civilian infrastructure. An NGO tent provides heating, food distribution, and phone charging services amid electricity disruptions. The video ends with views of buildings in darkness, illustrating ongoing power outages.

Infoclip: 4 years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine - Resilience of the Ukrainian people - Kyiv (Stockshots)

Ville NIINISTÖ (Greens/EFA, FI) and Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV), rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the phasing-out of Russian gas in the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Ville NIINISTÖ (Greens/EFA, FI) and Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV), rapporteurs, on the phasing-out of Russian gas in the EU

Closing statements of the debate on stepping up funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence.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.

Stepping up funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence: the use of Russian frozen assets: closing statements

MEPs debate (part 2) on stepping up funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence.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.

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

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