In an unprecedented and unanimous reaction to Russia's war on Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022, the EU swiftly decided to make available €500 million from the European Peace Facility – followed soon after by additional financing – to fund EU military assistance and to deliver military equipment to Ukraine. For the first time in its history, the EU is now using a dedicated, although off-budget, tool to finance – but not to deliver, with that responsibility falling on Member States alone – lethal military equipment to a third country. This is a further update of a publication, the previous edition of which was released on 30 March 2022. UPDATE: Since the recording of this podcast, the EU has agreed to mobilise additional financing of military assistance to Ukraine amounting to €2 billion currently.

EPRS policy podcast - Russia's war on Ukraine: The EU's financing of military assistance to Ukraine

The war on Ukraine is the latest manifestation of Russia's revisionist policy over the past decade. Russia has increasingly been using hybrid warfare tactics to assert its international position and gain 'strategic leverage'. Russia has used both non-conventional and conventional warfare tactics in conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood, in particular in Syria, Libya, Africa and in Ukraine. Prior to the ongoing war, Russia seized and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and carried on a war in Donbass, recognising unilaterally, a couple of days before the invasion of Ukraine, the independence of the self-proclaimed independent republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. In this podcast, we’ll analyse the impact of Russia’s expansionism on the EU and different scenarios on Russia’s possible behaviour in the next years, up to 2030. #FutureShocks2022

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks: Russia's brutal expansionism

Following the post-Cold War reset, EU-Russia relations have been strained, not least by Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, to which the EU responded with hard-hitting sanctions. Putin’s support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, his policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and Russia’s intervention in Syria just added fuel to the fire... And yet, the two remain closely interdependent… So, how to deal with Putin’s Russia?

EPRS policy podcast - The EU and Russia: Locked into confrontation

EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and negative internal developments.

Russia has adopted assertive international positions and tensions have worsened over Russian intervention in Syria. The EU has regularly renewed sanctions against Russia since 2014. The EU and Russia remain closely interdependent and the EU applies a ‘selective engagement’ approach.

EU - Russia - 8th parliamentary term

EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and negative internal developments. Tensions have also grown over Russian intervention in Syria. The EU has regularly renewed sanctions against Russia since 2014. The EU and Russia remain closely interdependent and the EU applies a ‘selective engagement’ approach.

EU - Russia (2019-2020)

EU-Russia relations have become increasingly strained over the past decade, not least because of the country's 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Kremlin’s support for separatists in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s military intervention in Syria. Another source of tension is Russia’s disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks, as well as attempts to interfere in Western democratic processes and the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, EU economic sanctions target Russia’s financial, defence and energy sectors. Russia has responded with counter-sanctions.&nbsp;

The European Parliament (April plenary session) confirmed concern about Russian military posturing close to the country’s border with Ukraine as well as in illegally occupied Crimea. The EP resolution also deplored the revelation that Russian intelligence services set off the explosion of an arms depot in Vrbětice, Czechia, in 2014, in which two Czech citizens were killed. Parliament also reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

On 30 April Russia barred eight officials from European Union countries from entering the country in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russian citizens by the EU. Russia's foreign ministry said those banned included Vera Jourova, vice president for values and transparency at the executive European Commission and David Sassoli, the President of the European Parliament. Presidents of the European Council, Commission and Parliament condemned in a joint statement the imposition of restrictive measures targeting the EU by Russia as unacceptable and groundless.

During September&nbsp;vote in plenary Parliament said that&nbsp;the EU must push back against aggressive policies while laying the groundwork for cooperation with a future democratic Russia.&nbsp;Assessing the state of EU-Russia relations, the European Parliament made&nbsp;clear that it distinguishes between the Russian people and President Vladimir Putin’s regime.&nbsp;

EU - Russia

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine.

The debate is likely to focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

Debate on Russian disinformation on Ukraine

MEPs reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine and criticise the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, in a resolution.

When addressing the European Parliament on Tuesday 19 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine’s border” (...) and that “the contingent may grow to 100,0000”. Many of these troops have recently been reported as having been deployed as part of Russia’s airborne units and marines in the Kursk region, another growing sign of the increasing military cooperation between the regimes in Moscow and Pyongyang.

A statement issued by Parliament’s leaders on 19 November 2024 called on the EU to “step up support for Ukraine in every way, including politically, financially, militarily and with humanitarian aid” and reiterated that “we stand with and support Ukraine in every possible way until its victory.”

Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia

MEPs debate the consequences of the undemocratic presidential elections in Russia on 18 March, including their illegitimate extension to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Plenary Debate - Russia´s undemocratic presidential elections

Parliament commemorates the life of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, featuring a plenary address by his wife Yulia Navalnaya.

Alexei Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate and an ardent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on Friday 16 February, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges.

Plenary debate - Address by Yulia Navalnaya

EP Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (D-RU) exchange views on the inhuman detention and death of Alexei NAVALNY, 2021 Sakharov Price Laureate.

MEPs also discuss the state of Russia’s democratic opposition movement ahead of the country’s presidential elections scheduled for 15-17 March 2024, as well as the situation of all those Russian opposition voices currently behind bars.

The following guests give testimonies to MEPs: Leonid Volkov, Chief of staff of Alexei Navalny, Anti-Corruption Foundation: Evgenia Kara-Murza, Advocacy Director at the Free Russia Foundation, wife of political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza: Vladimir Milov, Vice-President of the Free Russia Foundation, former Vice-Minister of Energy of Russia

AFET/DROI debate on Alexei Navalny´s death

EP Plenary session - Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia

Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Constitutive meeting

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Commission Statement - Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories

EP Plenary session  - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia

EP Plenary session - Address by Yulia Navalnaya

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Yulia NAVALNAYA, Alexei NAVALNY's wife

AFET DROI joint meeting - Inhuman detention and death of Sakharov Price Laureate Alexei Navalny

Flowers lay outside the EP headquarters in Brussels, following the death of Alexei NAVALNY, 2021 Sakharov Price Laureate

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union

EP Plenary session - Recent developments at the EU’s external border between Finland and Russia and the need to uphold EU law - Council and Commission statements

EP Plenary session - Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia

SEDE Workshop on the ' role of cyber in the Russian war against Ukraine '

Full-size replica of Sakharov Prize laureate Alexey Navalny’s prison cell

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (D-RU) discuss following the death of Alexei NAVALNY, Sakharov Prize Laureate 2021. Questions and answers session by MEPs.

Death of Alexei NAVALNY, Sakharov Prize 2021: joint meeting of AFET Committee, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee: MEPs Q&A

EP Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (D-RU) exchange views on the inhuman detention and death of Alexei NAVALNY, 2021 Sakharov Price Laureate. MEPs also discuss the state of Russia’s democratic opposition movement ahead of the country’s presidential elections scheduled for 15-17 March 2024, as well as the situation of all those Russian opposition voices currently behind bars. The following guests give testimonies to MEPs: Leonid VOLKOV, Chief of staff of Alexei Navalny, Anti-Corruption Foundation, Evgenia KARA-MURZA, Advocacy Director at the Free Russia Foundation, wife of political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Vladimir MILOV, Vice-President of the Free Russia Foundation, former Vice-Minister of Energy of Russia.

Death of Alexei Navalny and state of the Russian opposition: extracts from the exchange of views - AFET, DROI Subcommittee and Delegation for relations with Russia

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (D-RU) exchange views on the death of 2021 Sakharov Prize Laureate Alexei Navalny and on the state of the Russian opposition ahead of the presidential elections. Opening statements by David MCALLISTER, (EPP, DE) chair of AFET (Committee on Foreign Affairs), Leonid VOLKOV, Chief of staff of Alexei Navalny, Anti-Corruption Foundation (remotely), Evgenia KARA-MURZA, Advocacy Director at the Free Russia Foundation, wife of political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Vladimir MILOV, Vice-President of the Free Russia Foundation, former Vice-Minister of Energy of Russia. Followed by a questions and answers session by MEPs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Exchange of views on the death of Sakharov Prize Laureate Alexei Navalny and on the state of the Russian opposition ahead of the presidential elections: opening statements

MEPs vote on the following topics: New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members; Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou; Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria; Automated data exchange for police cooperation (“Prüm II”); The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women; Situation in Serbia following elections; Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025; Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes; Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024; Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union; and Further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado.

Voting time

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Second part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 2)

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. First part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russiagate - allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions an

MEPs vote on the following topics: Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia - Motions for resolutions; Settlement discipline, cross-border provision of services, supervisory cooperation, provision of banking-type ancillary services and requirements for third-country central securities depositories; European environmental economic accounts: new modules; Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO); Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); EU/Madagascar Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and Implementing Protocol (2023-2027); Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7); System of own resources of the European Union; and strengthening the right to participate: legitimacy and resilience of electoral processes in illiberal political systems and authoritarian regimes.

Voting session, including the motion for resolution on the Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia

MEPs vote on the following topics: Election of a Quaestor of the European Parliament (to replace Monika Beňová); Request for defence of the privileges and immunities of Stefano Maullu; Request for the waiver of the immunity of Patryk Jaki; Request for the waiver of the immunity of Beata Kempa; Request for the waiver of the immunity of Beata Mazurek; Request for the waiver of the immunity of Tomasz Piotr Poręba; Nomination of a member of the Court of Auditors (Tony Murphy); Nomination of a member of the Court of Auditors (Bettina Michelle Jakobse); Nomination of a member of the Court of Auditors (Alejandro Blanco Fernández); Data act; Amending certain Regulations as regards the establishment and functioning of the European single access point (ESAP); Access to information in relation to financial services, capital markets and sustainability of ESAP; Amending certain Directives as regards the establishment and functioning of the ESAP.

Voting session, including the Election of a Quaestor of the European Parliament (to replace Monika Beňová)

Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. This news item shows footage from the MEPs debate with the Commission and the Council on whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow.

Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: extracts from the debate

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim) and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Third part of the debate.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: MEPs debate (part 3)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Second part of the debate.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. First part of the debate.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim)

As part of the "Free Navalny Campaign", a full-size replica of the punishment cell (Shizo) where the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny is serving his 9.5 years sentence is installed in front of the building Station Europe, at the European Parliament in Brussels. Extracts from the event in presence of Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President of the EP and Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee.

Display of replica of Alexei Navalny's cell in front of Station Europe: extracts from the event in presence of Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President of the EP and Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee

Parliament holds urgent debates on a series of relevant topics: human rights, democracy and rule of law. Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation. Closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.

Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation: closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

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