Resolution on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians
The European Parliament adopted by 507 votes to 77, with 45 abstentions, a resolution on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.
Parliament condemned Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and demanded that Russia immediately cease all military activities in Ukraine, fully withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory, end forced deportations, release all detained and deported Ukrainians and compensate Ukraine and victims of war crimes. Moreover, it reiterated its condemnation of Belarus’s direct involvement in Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, Parliament reiterated its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders and reiterated its policy of non-recognition of Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. It called for the EU and all its 27 Member States to substantially enhance the effectiveness and accelerate the delivery of military support to Ukraine in order to allow Ukraine to legitimately defend itself against Russia’s escalating attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure across the country, and to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations.
Furthermore, Members strongly condemned the execution of Ukrainian Prisoners of War (POWs) by Russian forces, constituting war crimes and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. They demanded that Russia immediately cease the mutilation and removal of organs from the bodies of deceased civilians and POWs.
The resolution reiterated that Russia bears sole responsibility for its war of aggression and that there can be no impunity for violations of human rights, war crimes, or other breaches of international law committed by Russian forces and officials. Members expressed deep outrage at Russia’s brutal attacks on civilians and the indiscriminate targeting of civilian infrastructure and stressed that the systematic and deliberate targeting of civilians and, in particular, the deportation of children may constitute a genocidal strategy orchestrated and executed by the Russian Government.
The Commission is called on to urgently activate the Blocking Statute and on the Member States to urgently step up their diplomatic efforts in order to protect and safeguard the ICC as an indispensable cornerstone of the system of international justice.
Condemning Russia’s forcible deportation, illegal detention and inhumane treatment of countless Ukrainian civilians, Parliament demanded that Russia immediately provide families with accurate information regarding the whereabouts and state of health of detainees and called for the immediate release of all the Ukrainian civilians currently held captive. Russia is urged to immediately agree to and implement a comprehensive ‘all-for-all’ exchange of POWs with Ukraine.
The resolution reiterated:
- a call for the EU and its Member States to increase humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance for victims of Russian captivity, including access to medical and psychological care, reintegration services and legal assistance;
- its firm conviction that Russia must pay for the massive damage caused in Ukraine and therefore called for the confiscation of Russian state assets immobilised under EU sanctions or otherwise for their use to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.
Member States are urged to immediately provide further military assistance and to engage in joint procurement of additional capabilities, in particular air defence, long range strike and artillery systems and ammunition. In this regard, they are urged to devote a significant part of their SAFE Defence Investment Plans to assistance for Ukraine. The resolution called for all necessary steps to be taken to avoid the circumvention of sanctions, in particular by targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ vessels and called for a full ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil and raw materials, and interim measures to minimise Russia’s ability to pay for its war of aggression through energy exports, including a lower oil price cap and the introduction of an LNG price cap.
Lastly, in light of the shift in the US stance on Russia’s war of aggression, the EU and its Member States must remain Ukraine’s primary strategic allies and should reinforce their leadership role in supporting Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty, peace and justice. Parliament reiterated its calls for the immediate delivery of long-overdue, previously announced, and badly needed weapons systems, such as Taurus missiles, as committed by the new German leadership, in significant quantities.