MEPs discuss on to help for the country’s short-term funding needs during Russia’s war against the country. According to the Commission’s proposal, which asks MEPs to fast-track approval under the EP’s accelerated “urgent procedure”, the €18 billion will cover part of an estimated €4 billion monthly funding need in Ukraine to cover essential public services, macroeconomic stability and the restoration of critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia. Extracts from the debate in plenary.

EU - Ukraine (T)

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

joint debate

OLBRYCHT, Jan (EPP, PL)

RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Inma (S&D, ES)

HAYER, Valérie (Renew, FR)

ANDRESEN, Rasmus (Greens/EFA, DE)

SINKEVIČIUS, Virginijus (LT, EC)

BEK, Mikuláš (CZ)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

EU financial assistance to Ukraine: extracts from the joint debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Mikul&#225;&#353; BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs, Today you will be discussing the method to offer Ukraine the remaining &euro;3 billion from 2022 and further 15 billions in loans for 2023. These loans will have a grace period of ten years and the member states will cover the interest costs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mikul&#225;&#353; BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs, Ukraine will therefore be able to concentrate on fighting of the invader, as well as on repairing its energy and other crucial infrastructure that the invader has been destroying on purpose, with the sole objective of inflicting further hardships on the people of Ukraine as winter approaches.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVI&#268;IUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, To guarantee this borrowing for Ukraine, the Commission proposes to use the headroom of the 2021 2027 EU budget in a targeted manner for Ukraine. Limited in time, and this will be done via targeted amendment of the MFF regulation. The headroom is the difference between the own resource ceiling, so the maximum amount of resources that the Commission can ask Member States to contribute in a given year and the funds that it actually needs to cover the expenses envisioned in the budget.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVI&#268;IUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Obviously, implementing a structural reform agenda in a country at war is not an easy task and it puts a premium on relevance and feasibility. This conditionality will feature reforms to further enhance the rule of law, good governance, anti-fraud and anti-corruption measures. And this is essential for the country's future reconstruction and for supporting Ukraine on its path to the EU accession, as well as ensuring the financial interest of the Union.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Jan OLBRYCHT (EPP, PL), First of all, we have this necessary aid to Ukraine in order to fight for it, to maintain stability and in order for the Ukrainian state to be able to function in all its in all different ways. This is not money for the reconstruction of Ukraine. It's about maintaining the stability of that state. So it's very important to remember about this because expectations are huge.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Inma RODR&#205;GUEZ-PI&#209;ERO (S&amp;D, ES), This is only possible because we actually created the new fund's next generation EU, which is linked to the European budget. With this new MFA plus we have entered into a long term commitment to support the stability and financial stability of. This MFA plus will make it possible for us to maintain public services. It will also enable us to support infrastructure projects.

SOUNDBITE (French), Val&#233;rie HAYER (Renew, FR), If Ukrainians are not supported, there will be terrible consequences, not just for the Ukrainians, although that above all, but for the rest of Europe as well, because an abandoned Ukraine will weaken the European Union. I'll turn to the far right, the those with Russian friends. If you vote against or abstain on this, then never say again that you stand for the freedom of nations.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Rasmus ANDRESEN (Greens/EFA, DE), Economically, the country cannot survive under these circumstances. It's important to support the country, but we have to provide the foundation for reconstruction as well. It must be sustainable in nature. It must. It must be democratic. There must be no corruption. And indeed, equally, Ukrainians must be able to confide in us.