Resolution on the Russian aggression against Ukraine

The European Parliament adopted by 637 votes to 13, with 26 abstentions a resolution on Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Parliament condemned Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as Belarus' involvement in this aggression. This military aggression and invasion constitute a serious violation of international law, and in particular of the United Nations Charter.

Expressing its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and condemning in the strongest terms Russia's actions against Ukraine, Parliament demanded that Russia immediately cease all military activities in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all its military and paramilitary forces and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, and fully respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

Continued diplomatic efforts

Members categorically rejected Russian rhetoric hinting at the possible resort to weapons of mass destruction, while warning of the dangers of a nuclear escalation of the conflict.

Parliament urged continued diplomatic efforts to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine and find a peaceful solution based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principles of international law, as well as Ukraine's right to decide on future alliances without external interference. While calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, Members EPs demanded that the channels of communication with Russia remain open and that the parties concerned be prepared for dialogue and negotiations until a ceasefire is established and the war ends.

Humanitarian aid and refugee protection

Parliament called on the Commission and Member States to provide further emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in cooperation with UN humanitarian agencies and other international partner organisations. It stressed the need to pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, minorities, women and children.

Members welcomed the commitment of the Commission and the French Presidency of the Council to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to ensure immediate protection for all Ukrainian refugees. They called on the Council to equally divide the responsibility for the reception of refugees arriving at the EU's external borders among Member States and asked the Commission to set up a solidarity mechanism to relocate Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to other Member States.

Tougher sanctions

In light of the attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure, Members stressed the need for additional sanctions. They called for the scope of sanctions to be broadened and for them to be aimed at strategically weakening the Russian economy and industrial base, especially the military-industrial complex. In particular, they called for the import of key Russian export goods, including oil and gas, to be restricted, for new EU investment in Russia and new Russian investment in the EU to be banned, for all Russian banks to be blocked from accessing the EU financial system, for Russia and Belarus to be excluded from the SWIFT system.

They also called for a ban on the export of all high-tech and strategic products to the Russian market, the immediate blocking or withdrawal of funding for all research and innovation cooperation programmes with Russia supported by EU funds, and the closure of EU ports to Russian ships.

Condemning the Russian authorities' information war, Members welcomed the Commission President's announcement to ban Russia Today and Sputnik broadcasts in the EU, and reiterated calls for Google and YouTube to block war propaganda accounts.

Targeted sanctions on individuals

Parliament called for swift and targeted sanctions against those responsible for high-level corruption in Russia and Belarus, as well as oligarchs and officials close to the leadership. It called on Member States and allied countries with residence by investment schemes to review all beneficiaries of such residence status and to revoke those attributed to Russian high-net-worth individuals and their families, in particular those linked to sanctioned individuals and companies.

Provision of arms

Parliament called for increased contributions to the strengthening of Ukraine's defence capabilities. It supported the historic decision to allocate significant additional funding to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons through the European Peace Facility and the provision of military equipment by Member States. Member States were asked to accelerate the provision of defensive weapons to Ukraine in response to clearly identified needs.

Economic and financial support

Members called on the EU and its Member States to continue to provide Ukraine with the strongest possible economic and financial support, as well as macro-financial and technical assistance wherever necessary, including in defence and security related areas. They called on the EU and its Member States to develop a multi-billion euro assistance and recovery plan for Ukraine to support the Ukrainian economy and the reconstruction of its destroyed infrastructure.

Granting Ukraine EU candidate status

Parliament called on the EU institutions to ensure that Ukraine is granted EU candidate status, in accordance with Article 49 of the EU Treaty and on the basis of its merit, and in the meantime to continue to work towards its integration into the EU single market, in accordance with the Association Agreement.