The plenary discusses EU responses to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including EU sanctions agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 24 February. MEPs will vote on a resolution. Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

statement

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Extraordinary Plenary session on the Russian aggression against Ukraine: Opening by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good afternoon. We are here today in the dark shadow cast by Putin's war, a war we did not provoke, a war we did not start an outrageous invasion of a sovereign independent state. On behalf of the European Parliament, I condemn the Russian military aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and express my solidarity with all those suffering and all those killed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The message from Europe is clear. We will stand up. We will not look away when those fighting in the streets for our values face down Putin's massive war machine. We will support the International Criminal Courts, jurisdiction and investigation of war crimes in Ukraine. We will hold him accountable, just us. We will hold Lukashenko. We are facing an existential threat to the Europe we know. The Europe so many have given so much.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And this is why, on this important day, I am pleased to announce that President Zelenskyy will address us shortly. Followed by Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuck, the chair of the Rad aof Ukraine. And allow me also to have a special welcome to the ambassador of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people president in the plenary today. Mr President, thank you for showing the world what it means to stand up. Thank you for reminding us about the dangers of complacency.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Everyday acts of extraordinary heroism by Ukrainians inspire us all. Defence forces and citizens making the ultimate sacrifice to delay a column of tanks. Senior citizens standing up to face down Russian troops with nothing but pride and sunflowers as their weapon. Brave women forced to give birth in metro stations next to their Kalashnikovs. They showed the world that our way of life is worth defending. It is worth a cost.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, All those who remember living under occupation will attest to that. All those standing up in Belarus, all those looking to us in Moldova, in Georgia, it is worth it for us, for the next generation. For all those in Ukraine and around the world who believe in Europe and in our way. And for all those who want to be free.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Our European response was on display over the last very painful days. This must be our "Whatever it takes" moment. Neighbouring states have accepted hundreds of thousands of fleeing Ukrainians. Europeans sheltered Ukrainians in their homes. We have implemented a series of unprecedented, massive sanctions. We have gone further and will provide much needed weapons to Ukraine. We have declared that Russian aircraft and oligarchs private jets are no longer welcome in our open skies. We have moved for Russia to be disconnected from the SWIFT system.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We have banned Kremlin propaganda tools: european citizens, organisations, businesses, sports have taken a clear and forceful stand, underlining that they will not deal with or welcome an aggressor. And Europe stands ready to go further still. We recognise Ukraine's European perspective. And as our resolution clearly states, we welcome Mr President Ukraine's application for candidate status. And we will work towards that goal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Because we will and we must face the future together. Mr President, we stand with you in your fight for survival in this dark moment in our history. When you look to this European Parliament, you will always find an ally, a space to address Europe and the world and always, always a friend. This European Parliament has a long, proud history of being a thorn in the side of autocrats. And in this spirit, I will seek a ban on any representatives of the Kremlin from entering European Parliament's presidencies because aggressor and warmongers have no place in the House of democracy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear President, dear members, let me finish out by setting out four important principles for our future. First of all, Europe can no longer remain reliant on Kremlin gas. We need to redouble our efforts. To diversify our energy systems towards a Europe that is no longer at the behest of autocrats that will put our energy security on stronger footing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Secondly, Europe can no longer welcome Kremlin cash and pretend that there are no strings attached. Putin's oligarchs and those who bankroll him should no longer be able to use their purchasing power to hide behind a veneer of respectability in our cities and our communities or in our sports clubs. Their super yachts should find no harbour in our Europe, and we can no longer sell passports to Putin's friends, allowing them to circumvent our security no more.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Sadly, investment in our defence must match our rhetoric. Europe must move to have a real security and defence union. We have shown last week that it is possible and desirable and more than anything, it is necessary.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And fourthly, we must fight the Kremlin's disinformation campaign and I call on social media and tech conglomerates to take their responsibility seriously and to understand that there is no being neutral between the fire and the fire brigade.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, President Michel, President von der Leyen, High Representative Borrell, thank you for ensuring European unity and commitment in facing this threat. I know that all of us, all the members of this House, will take the United message of Europe back to our constituencies. President Zelnskyy, thank you. We are together now. We will be together in the future because we are with Ukraine. Thank you.