EU Parliament stands firm with Ukraine on fourth anniversary of Russia’s military aggression

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in favour of Ukraine during an extraordinary plenary session entitled “Four years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and European contribution to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine” on 24 February.

“Four years on, the European Parliament has not let Ukraine down. Because we know that when we stand together, Ukraine and Europe stand strong. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, Ukraine’s freedom is Europe’s freedom, and Ukraine’s future is in Europe,” said European Parliament president Roberta Metsola in opening the session.

The European resolution guaranteed a €90 billion loan over two years to support Ukraine’s essential public services, as well as its defence capabilities. 

It also called for increased sanctions against Russia by stepping away from its energy sources, and stricter enforcements against Russian institutions and officials involved in the war.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the members of the European parliament prior to the vote to express his gratitude through a video call.

He stressed the importance of the multi-billion loan for Ukraine and of giving his country a clear date for joining the EU. If there was no date and no guarantee, “Putin will find a way to block Ukraine for decades, by dividing you, by dividing Europe,” said Zelenskyy. 

Despite the resolution being approved by 437 votes in favour, 82 against with 70 abstentions, tensions aroused during the plenary debate.

Some far-right European deputies expressed their opposition to the military and financial support to Ukraine and the sanction package against Russia on the grounds it could weaken some European nations.

The €90 billion financial loan and sanction package against Russia had already witnessed a last-minute setback earlier in the week when Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban expressed his veto, supported by Slovakian president Robert Fico.

These stances sparked criticism among a number of European deputy members. “Our outrage is not only against Putin but also his admirers, war-profiteers inside the EU such as Orban and Fico. Your disgraceful attitude will go down in European history books,” stated German Christian-democrat deputy Michael Gahler (EPP) during the plenary debate.

Photos: ©European Parliament