MEPs outline their demands and expectations for the EU-Ukraine summit in a debate with the Commission and Council. They expect to reiterate their call that the EU should continue to support the country, for a special tribunal to punish Russian crimes and support to immediately deploy modern weapons and a next-generation air defence system to Ukraine. Closing statements by Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence and Commission and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

JONSON, Pål

special meeting of the European Council 9-10 February 2023 (T)

EU - Ukraine summit 3 February 2023 (T)

Preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit: closing statements by Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister of Defence and Commission and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), P&aring;l JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, Thank you very much. President, Minister, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, thank you for this debate to shown once again that there is unrestricted support for Ukraine and its population. This war, I would say, needs to be one. I don't think there is an alternative. I would also like to lead peace negotiations. I think everybody would. I just wonder, where's the Russian delegation, I don't know none.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, Let's not forget either there's been much lost sight of in the debate about the re-establishment of the territorial integrity of Russia. Sometimes I got the impression that we've reversed who is responsible? Who is the victim? Who's the aggressor? I think we have to understand who the aggressor is. And in future, we have to continue to reiterate that and do everything to help Ukraine regain its territorial integrity.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, And in that context, Europe has done a great deal. If you look at what the member states have done together with the commission as well, you combine those the military humanitarian aid to date, it is more than the USA has done. Just so that we understand that and see it in the right light. I find it regrettable that Mr. Verhofstadt isn't here, who's a slightly populist the attack that he led in saying and calling on the Commission to provide arms, knowing that is not constitutionally possible according to the treaties of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, Obviously, we want to work together with our member states to try and achieve that end and provide the right support. Secondly, obviously, there's consensus not just here in this House that Russia in the future will have to contribute in reparations, in reconstruction of infrastructure in many other areas of society that will require funding and the resources from the Russian Central Bank.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, That have been frozen in foreign banks will be designated to reconstruction and reparation payments, as well as moneys that belong to oligarchs. But in legal terms, that is not a simple exercise that anybody who has been involved in this in any serious extent understands it is not an easy approach. But I think the moral stance is clear and will have to be followed up on. There was also the question as to why we're providing for loans, not grants.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, But at the end of the day, that was the possibility we had to help quickly. But I would like to underscore that the European member states have also agreed that in the coming ten years that the interest on these loans will be covered, will be paid, and the servicing of capital will only have to start as of the thirties. And so we'll see how we're going to deal with that later on.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, While we're debating here, there are 15 colleagues who are now in Ukraine at this meeting of this Commission with the Ukrainian government. Those are colleagues that who, given their portfolios and responsibilities, have topics that need to be addressed that are current and topical in Ukraine where they can help. But also, when it comes to the accession prospects for Ukraine, they can support them in those endeavours.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Pål JONSON, Swedish Minister for Defence, Those are two tracks that we're taking in parallel. And there's been mention made of this already. You can't really give a discount on membership, but we can have active engagement and that's what we're doing and that's what we'll do in the future. So thank you very much once again for that strong level of support that I've seen here in the debate here today. To conclude, it's become a tradition, but nevertheless, very important words "Slava Ukraine".

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Mr. President, Honourable Members, Commissioner, thank you for all the interventions this exchange shows. Once again the European Parliament's strong support for Ukraine. The EU Ukraine summit will bring a message of a strong, unwavering support, a way for the EU to say we stand by your side and that the future for Ukraine and its citizens lies within the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, I also listened carefully to you, to all your interventions about accountability and further sanctions. And as I said in my introductory remarks, those responsible must be held accountable. And on sanctions, we stand ready to reinforce more restrictive measures. We will further step up the ongoing diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine in all relevant international fora, calling for steadfast solidarity with Ukraine and against Russia's war of aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We are ready to support Ukraine's initiative for a just peace, and we will continue stand by Ukraine once peace has returned to reconstruct and help make the future bright there for the Ukrainian people. We firmly stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you very much. And once again, thank you for your attention.