Political group leaders make statements on the need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine, followed by a vote on a resolution. With Russia intensifying its bombardment of Ukrainian civil infrastructure, including strikes on the country’s largest paediatric clinic, political group leaders will discuss the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression. This news item include extracts from the debate and from the vote.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

European Parliament's support for Ukraine: extracts from the debate and from the vote

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Andrzej HALICKI (EPP, PL), As Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, anyone who helps Ukraine helps themselves. Increasing Ukraine's security increases our security and the security of the people we represent. And nobody has a right to call themselves a patriot if they undermine this joint effort on our part.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&amp;D, ES), The EU's support for Ukraine must be based on an undeniable principle: the rejection of the use of force in international relations, and also on a clear objective, a just peace with the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukrainian soil.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jordan BARDELLA (Patriots, FR), The resolution you are proposing today is problematic on several levels. Each member state would have to contribute 0.5% of the GDP per year, in France that would be &euro;7 billion per year. That's mentioned in the resolution. The proposals, for example, for Ukraine to enter NATO it is very problematic for us. This could lead to an escalation of the war, and the resolution would also threaten the survival of our economy and farming, because it would severely impact the Common Agricultural Policy. This resolution condemns the visit by Viktor Orban to Russia. We can't accuse Hungary, a key partner in the transatlantic alliance of impacting things negatively when they're trying to open discussions.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Joachim Stanisław BRUDZIŃSKI (ECR, PL), We have to make sure that Putin and the other war criminals are brought to justice. We have to use all the tools available to seize Russian assets in order to rebuild Ukraine's economy at Russia's expense. We shouldn't be importing Russian fertilizer. Because now we're buying fertilizer instead of gas. And we should not be naive in terms of Russia's ambitions. They have been clearly stated, and they're firmly embedded in Russia's strategic doctrine. Russia is starting wars in former Soviet republics, and it's using its military and intelligence agencies to weaken democracies across the world.

SOUNDBITE (French), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), We say to the people of Ukraine, once again, from this inaugural session of the new European Parliament: we will continue to support you until victory. And, dear colleagues, our group, Renew Europe, will always stand up for the freedom of Ukraine. We will be the most ardent supporters of European defense policy for investment in joint security with common procurement for defense materials. We need to support Ukraine alongside our transatlantic alliance.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE), German car parts exports to Kyrgyzstan have increased front by 5100% in four years. These exports are obviously going to Russia, circumventing sanctions, and the EU is saying nothing. Why are there no effective sanctions on the corrupt Russian oligarchs and the military industrial complex? I can tell you why: the corporations are dictating the terms, and they don't want to lose business just because Russia is waging war on Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (French), René AUST (ESN, DE), If we want to make a change, we need to modify our strategy. Time is right for a change. Therefore, I am grateful that Mr. Orban is taking responsibility. Political leadership in a democratic society means standing up for what's right, even if there is opposition. It's not just about taking the comfortable, popular route, doing what's right and making that popular what's right. It's to change strategy and put pressure in order to ensure that we start peace talks.

Extracts from the voting session (12 shots)