MEPs reaffirm the need for the EU to stand firmly and united behind Kyiv following almost two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs discuss the latest developments in the war and how the EU can continue to support Ukraine in fighting back against the intruders.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

LAHBIB, Hadja (BE)

Two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/74539426/1706870085419_I252424Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President Two years ago the world order was upended by Russia illegal invasion of sovereign, independent Ukraine. They thought that they could take Kiev in a matter of days. They miscalculated the determination of the Ukrainian people, and they underestimated the resolve of the European Union and the international community. Ukraine has inspired and continues to inspire the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President The European Parliament was the first to call for Ukraine to receive EU candidate status, and we were the strongest advocate for EU accession negotiations to start last year because we know that Ukraine's place is within our Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President As we enter the third year of Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine, I want to use this moment to renew this promise that we made to the Ukrainian people. We are with you and we will remain with you.

SOUNDBITE (English),  Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions Since day one. The European Council has provided strategic guidance for the European Union's response and taken decisive actions. The EU has thus strongly condemned Russian aggression and played a fundamental role in efforts to isolate Russia.

SOUNDBITE (French),  Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions An extraordinary European Council gave the green light to additional assistance to Ukraine, to the tune of €50 billion for the period 2024 to 2027, thanks to the Ukraine facility. It is right now vital to finalize this package, which allows for stable long term assistance.

SOUNDBITE (French),  Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions We continue to weaken Russia by means of sanctions. We are hoping to finalize a 13th package of sanctions on the symbolic date of 24th of February. 2024. Council has used the European Peace Facility. To deliver €5.6 billion in assistance in the form of military equipment to Ukraine. Ensure that, Ukraine gets  a million one hunderd and five 55 millimeter shells from us as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, I remain just as convinced of one simple fact today than I was two years ago, standing in front of you, and that is that Ukraine will prevail and that Europe will stand with Ukraine every step of the way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, With the support of the European Union and our allies, Ukraine has not only held firm against a bigger country, a bigger army and a bigger economy. But it has retaken more than half of the territory that Russia occupied from the start of this conflict. They have knocked back Russian offensives last winter and are doing the same now. And this indomitable spirit is what we have to keep in mind here in Europe and right across the democratic world at this juncture of the war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, Not only must we accelerate the delivery of ammunition to Ukraine. As we look to the future, we must think of Ukraine's defense capabilities as part of our defense capabilities. We must think of Ukraine's defense industry as part of our own defense industry. And this is why we have involved Ukraine in the preparations of our own defense industrial strategy. It is a first step which should lead to integrating Ukraine in some of our defense programs.