European Parliament determined to do everything to halt Putin's advance and the war

With more than two million refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine to EU countries, these countries must continue to show their solidarity, said the European Parliament.

MEPs praised the frontline states for their efforts in hosting Ukrainian displaced persons, but warned that sustained solidarity across the entire EU will be necessary in the long term. The EU politicians unanimously condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

In a debate in Strasbourg with the French temporary EU presidency Brigitte Klinkert and EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson, MEPs emphasized the dramatic humanitarian situation caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine, especially in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania, as well as in Moldova. The EU has activated €500 million in humanitarian aid.

The MEPs welcomed the EU’s swift response and called for sufficient financial support, also in the medium and long term. Some speakers demanded concrete progress in reforming migration and asylum rules.

“The EU must do everything possible to halt Putin’s aggression and advance in Ukraine,” said PvdA MEP Thijs Reuten. “The current sanctions do not yet hit the Russian economy hard enough to shake Putin. Therefore, it is necessary to take away Putin’s greatest asset by stopping imports of Russian oil and gas as quickly as possible, completely and definitively. This is the moment to fully invest in green energy.”

Putin’s war also poses a direct threat to the EU. Reuten believes Russia must therefore take a central place in the Strategic Compass and defense packages discussed by EU leaders in Versailles on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, the NATO alliance must be strengthened, especially at the Russian border, and we must be prepared to deepen our alliances with Moldova and Georgia.”

Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) opposed calls for the EU to play a greater role in military and defense matters, ‘certainly not by creating new European command structures, let alone forming a European army, but by increasing military cooperation and coordination between EU countries. For our defense we already have an excellent collaboration: NATO. Let us cherish and invest in that.’ He called Russia a great danger to world peace.

MEP Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) believes the EU should reconsider the possible EU membership of Serbia. Serbia is still seen as an ally of Moscow. According to Van Dalen, Serbia plays a dubious role in this war: “Large demonstrations have been held in Serbia in support of Russia. And while all air traffic to and from Russia has been suspended by European countries, Air Serbia has doubled its flights to Moscow.”

EU Commissioner Johansson (Home Affairs) warned that the situation will unfortunately worsen and that Putin will continue this war. She did not comment specifically on the possible EU membership of Serbia.