Russia has recently moved thousands of troops near Ukraine’s eastern border, even though the Russian government has denied any plans to attack the neighboring country. Western leaders, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy, have called on Russia to de-escalate current tensions, while signaling their readiness to respond firmly to any Russian aggression, such as by issuing tough economic sanctions.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Strasbourg

debate

GAHLER, Michael (EPP, DE)

FOTYGA, Anna (ECR, PL)

AUŠTREVIČIUS, Petras (Renew, LT)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

WALLACE, Mick (The Left, IE)

MARQUES, Pedro (S&D, PT)

VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL, Viola (Greens/EFA, DE)

Situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine - Extracts from the Plenary debate

SOUNDBITE (English), 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, First facts: since November Russia's has been massing troops in an unusual manner and weapons around Ukraine's borders. You know that Ukraine is our neighbour border. It is a close strategic partner. So it's normal that we are worried for this movement of Russian troops.

SOUNDBITE (English), 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, But we have today to talk about an attempt to undermine further the Ukrainian territorial integrity which was jeopardized when Russia took over on Crimea. And this would be, this would come if it happens again with severe political consequences and with a high political and economic cost for Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), 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 reconfirm our support to France and Germany in the Normandy format to achieve full implementation of the Minsk agreements in order to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We are studying the different scenarios that one could imagine that could happen in the following days or weeks.

SOUNDBITE (English), 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 are expecting the best and preparing for the worst. And should the situation in Ukraine deteriorate, it should not be in doubt that we would be ready to respond. But by the time being, we don't want to contribute to any kind of escalation.  

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Since 2014, we've seen Ukraine working towards a reformed society and it's clear who the aggressor is. So it's not possible to put the perpetrator and the victim on the same level. Ukraine has every right to invoke article 51 of the fundamental rights charter. And it is clear that Russia has to back down. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Pedro MARQUES (S&amp;D, PT), Whether the intention is a full-scale military invasion or some kind of hybrid attack or to intimidate and destabilize Ukraine even further, we must not tolerate it. The European Union, let us be clear, together with its transatlantic partners, must be ready to make full use of severe sanctions. That will tell the Russian autocratic regime the price they must pay if they proceed with this line of behavior.

SOUNDBITE (English), Petras AU&#352;TREVI&#268;IUS (Renew, LT), Creeping hybrid strategy, intimidation and military pressure used by Russia presents a real threat to Ukraine's sovereignty. Today, as never before, Ukraine needs not only the EU's understanding and solidarity, but a joint a resolute deterrence and support action. I call on the European Union to come up with timely decision on the Common Security and Defense Policy mission to Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), It is time for our foreign policy to show teeth and speak with bullies in a language they understand, the language of tough sanctions. Punishment of Russia must be unprecedented if it dares to start another war against Ukraine. Cut off Russia from a swift system. Scrap Nord Stream two and sanction Putin and his entourage.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Anna FOTYGA (ECR, PL), The West spoke clearly, saying that the annexation of Poland, the potential annexation of Poland, would be followed by harsh sanctions. No one talked about Article 5 because Poland was under the Warsaw Pact. Obviously, Poland was not a NATO member, but this threat was tangible enough for the Soviet Union to think about it carefully.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mick WALLACE (The Left, IE), If we want peace, we need to support a framework where Russia is part of the solution and not always treated as an enemy.