MEPs back at a year marked by Russia’s assault on Ukraine and set out what the EU must do in support of Kyiv.Russia began its full-scale military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. Extracts from the debate.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

AZMANI, Malik (Renew, NL)

MARQUES, Pedro (S&D, PT)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Ukraine's application for EU membership (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/68736200/1676454179136_I237129Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Title:  One year of Russia&#8217;s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the debate (EBS)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission, To achieve peace, we have to continue supporting Ukraine militarily more than we have done so. And this is going to be one of my key messages. To achieve peace, you need to win the war and you can help Ukraine militarily and at the same time, in parallel, make all the diplomatic efforts necessary to ensure that peace comes as quickly as possible.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission, These aren't alternatives. They're not contradictory. We have to do both things in parallel. We have to provide more support and step up our diplomatic efforts. And very soon, I'll be able to lead this before the U.N. and ask the Secretary-General to start if he wants a mediation process.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission, Commercial deficit, public debt, oil revenues. The sanctions are a low action poison, a little bit like arsenic. It takes time to bring about effects. But they are they have had an impact. 45% of Russia's technological dependence is on Europe. Their plane and car plants have lost 80% of their capacity. Yes, the ruble is strong artificially, but the Russian economy is going to pay a very high price for this war.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission, And I'd like to put forward a plea to those countries that have modern and efficient battle tanks and that are just gathering dust in their in their deep pockets and aren't being used to give them to Ukraine and to provide them to Ukraine as quickly as possible.

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, We need to keep up the pressure. And we're suggesting a 10th tranche of sanctions with trade bans and new checks on exports to Russia, exports of technology. We're talking about €11 billion. We are suggesting restrictions on some dozen electronic components used in Russian systems such as drones, missiles and helicopters.

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, There are also hundreds of drones manufactured in Iran, used by Russia in the battlefield in Ukraine. These Iranian drones kill Ukrainian civilians and it is appalling. And so for the first time, we are also suggesting sanctions targeting Iranian economic operators, including those linked to the Revolutionary Guard. It is our duty to do that, to sanction such behaviour.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, Ukrainians are making tangible progress despite the war, despite fighting the aggressor. They know that the accession to our union is a merit based process. They have passed legislative reforms that others thought would take years. They are making this progress because they are striving for Europe with all their heart and soul. Ukraine is a nation defined not only by its history and heritage. It is a nation defined by its dreams. And Europe is one of these dreams.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), We send weapons now, finally, also tanks. And I would say there is one still open question on the table, and that is about building up a real European defence capability. High Representative Paul mentioned it. But there is not so much on initiatives currently on the table to do so.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pedro MARQUES (S&D, PT), It was a failing to hear Mr. Berlusconi excusing Putin from his responsibilities and blaming Ukraine for this war we have seen. Yes, it was. I thank you for your applause, Mr. Weber. It's important that you do so. But let me be clear also on this. You just said we defend the European way of life for the Ukrainians. Good. What concrete actions will you take regarding Mr. Berlusconi? Regarding his party? Mr. Weber. What concrete actions will you take?

SOUNDBITE (English), Malik AZMANI (Renew, NL), Dear colleagues. Let us expand the EU sanction list to 6000 Russian individuals. Let us hold Russia accountable to the Tribunal for the crime of aggression in The Hague. And let us use the confiscated Russia funds to start rebuilding Ukraine as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (German), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), Delivering weapons does not preclude negotiations. Supporting a country to defend itself does not mean you are forsaking the diplomacy. You are in fact supporting international law.