MEPs urge ‘serious consideration’ for fighter jets for Ukraine, tougher sanctions on Russia
In a resolution approved on February 16, the European Parliament called on EU countries to give serious consideration to delivering fighter jets, helicopters, appropriate missile systems and a substantial increase in munitions to Ukraine.
The resolution, tabled by five of the European Parliament’s groups, was approved with 444 votes in favour, 26 against, with 37 abstentions.
Intended to mark the anniversary of Russia’s February 26 2022 war against Ukraine, the resolition strongly condemned Moscow’s aggression and reiterated the European Parliament’s unwavering solidarity with the people and leadership of Ukraine.
MEPs reaffirmed their support for providing military assistance to Ukraine for as long as is necessary and call for serious consideration to be given to delivering Western fighter jets and helicopters, appropriate missile systems and substantial increases in munitions delivery to Kyiv.
Ukraine must not only be able to defend itself, but also to regain full control of its entire internationally recognised territory, according to the resolution.
The resolution called on EU member states to adopt the 10th sanctions package against Russia and its allies by the end of February and to substantially broaden its scope.
It also urged the EU, the member states and their allies to make the sanctions already in place more effective, and to take urgent steps to block any attempt to circumvent these restrictive measures.
MEPs demanded that the legal regime – which allows for Russian assets frozen by the EU to be confiscated – be completed.
These assets should then be used to reconstruct the country and to compensate the victims of the war, according to the resolution.
The resolution said that, once the war ends, Russia will have to be subject to severe reparations to contribute substantially to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The European Parliament underlined that the Russian war of aggression has fundamentally changed the geopolitical situation in Europe, “which necessitates bold, brave and comprehensive political, security and financial decisions by the EU”.
In this context, MEPs reiterated their support for the European Council’s decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine last summer.
They also called on Ukraine, the European Commission and the Council of the EU to work towards the start of accession negotiations this year, while emphasising that EU accession also remains a merit-based process with respect for relevant procedures and conditional criteria.
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