Resolution on a united response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure

The European Parliament adopted by 469 votes to 97, with 38 abstentions, a resolution on a united response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

Context

Parliament strongly condemned Russia’s reckless and escalatory actions of violating the airspace of EU Member States and NATO allies Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, as well as the deliberate drone incursions aimed at critical infrastructure in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, which are part of Russia’s systematic military and hybrid warfare and provocation against the EU and its Member States. It declared that Russia bears full and unequivocal responsibility for the actions that took place in Polish, Estonian and Romanian airspace and welcomed the decisive and proportionate response by NATO forces, including the interception and escorting of Russian fighter jets out of Estonian airspace and the shooting down of Russian drones over Poland.

The Commission and the Council are called on to develop an action plan of measures preventing and countering the escalation of Russian hybrid warfare against the EU in terrestrial, aerial, maritime and digital domains.

The resolution also condemned Russia for deliberate jamming and spoofing GNSS (including GPS) signals in the Baltic and Black Sea regions and other areas, which poses a serious safety risk for civilian aviation and maritime transport.

Members underlined that only through deeper integration, coordination and the pooling of resources can the EU respond effectively to Russia’s escalating threats. They underlined the need for a strong, precisely defined European pillar within NATO and for enhanced coordination, unity and solidarity among Member States, EU institutions and NATO structures, for the monitoring, interception and neutralisation of hostile drones, including through joint training, drills and exercises and the exchange of operational intelligence.

In addition, the resolution stressed the need to set up joint command-and-control centres for any future unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Parliament welcomed the EU drone wall initiative and called for joint programmes to promote the development of cost-effective counter-UAV capabilities. In this regard, it called for continuous investment in defence innovation and technology to support the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) and close the investment and research gaps in defence technology.

Financing

Members called for the EU institutions to approve the proposed tenfold increase in funding for military mobility in the next MFF and to invest heavily in dual-use infrastructure, particularly in frontline regions. They noted the continued need for a military Schengen area to facilitate the efficient movement of defence resources across the EU.

Ukraine

The resolution reiterated that the recent aggressive actions by Russia must not, and will not, deter the EU and its Member States from their enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence. It urged all Member States to immediately provide additional military assistance and to engage in joint procurement of additional capabilities for Ukraine, in particular ammunition for air defence.