Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A group of MEPs from the EU Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence visited Kyiv for the first time since the recent European elections.
The eight-member delegation journeyed to Kyiv led by MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). They had meetings with high-level representatives of the Ukrainian government, constituents of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, as well as civil society, veterans and the defence industry.
How did MEPs express solidarity with Ukrainian citizens?
The Subcommittee members voiced a strong message of solidarity and unwavering backing to Ukraine and its citizens in the face of Russia’s unfair and illegal war of aggression. MEPs heard firm messages of gratitude for all the support already delivered to Ukraine by the EU, including the 50 billion Ukraine facility and the recently agreed loan of up to 35 billion euros, the latter to be reimbursed with the future earnings from frozen Russian assets.
The European Parliament criticises, in the strongest possible words, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and insists that Russia immediately terminate all military actions in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its forces and military supplies from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, expressed MEPs. They stressed the need to remove the current limitations on the use of all weapons delivered to Ukraine, specifically against legitimate military targets inside Russia, for Ukraine to exert its right to self-defence under international law.
What changes did eu advisory missions implement in Ukraine?
MEPs also interacted with Ukraine’s veterans and were concerned about the challenges they face to reintegrate into civilian life and what more can be done to help them. MEPs also visited the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM) which has considerably adjusted its mandate following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. EUAM represents a new era of CSDP missions, adapting to a rapidly transforming security environment and providing support across a range of areas from deep, ongoing and irreversible security sector reform, rule of law, and democratic standards, as well as the overall alignment of National Security with norms and democratic values necessary for the EU accession processes.
