The European Documentation Center of Almeria collects in this entry the latest news, meetings and institutional statements regarding the situation between Ukraine and Russia. To consult all the content of each news item, we suggest to follow the indicated links.
March 5
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, met yesterday, Saturday, February 5, at La Moncloa with the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, to discuss the situation in Ukraine after the invasion of the Russian Federation, and its economic effects, as well as energy security and the defense of the European Union. During her speech, President Von der Leyen stressed that Spain is a “key partner” for the presidency of the European Commission.
Spain’s commitment to European unity in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine |
March 4
“I was here two weeks ago for the [NATO Defense] ministerial meeting. The world has changed a lot since then.We are now witnessing a full-fledged war on our borders. A war unleashed by President Putin against Ukraine, a totally unjustified war that is creating many civilian casualties, with the use of weapons strictly prohibited by the Geneva Convention, many civilian losses.”
Extraordinary NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell upon arrival |
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union, reiterate our profound condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war against Ukraine, propitiated by the government of Belarus.
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Statement of 04.03.2022 |
The EU has joined the members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in suspending Russia and Belarus from the Council’s activities. This decision is part of the response of the European Union and its like-minded partners to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ participation in this unprovoked and unjustified aggression.
Russia/Belarus: Members suspend Russia and Belarus from Council of the Baltic Sea States |
A very warm welcome. I am very glad to have you again here in the Berlaymont. Your visit to Europe illustrates how very close the cooperation is between the European Union and the United States in response to Putin’s reckless invasion of Ukraine.
Press statement by President von der Leyen with US Secretary of State Blinken |
“This is not the East against the West. This is not a remake of the Cold war. We are defending the sovereignty of the nations, all nations.”
Remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference after Extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council
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Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and in line with the Commission’s decision to fully implement all EU restrictive measures, the Commission has suspended the cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in the European Neighbourhood Instrument cross-border cooperation programmes (ENI CBC) as well as in the Interreg Baltic Sea region programme.
Commission suspends cross-border cooperation and transnational cooperation with Russia and Belarus |
Following the Russian invasion against Ukraine and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the Commission has decided to suspend the cooperation with Russian entities in research, science and innovation. The Commission will not conclude any new contracts nor any new agreements with Russian organisations under the Horizon Europe programme. Furthermore, the Commission is suspending payments to Russian entities under existing contracts. All ongoing projects, in which Russian research organisations are participating, are being reviewed – both under Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020, the previous EU programme for research and innovation.
Commission suspends cooperation with Russia on research and innovation |
March 3
Media censorship imposed by Russian authorities as well as the crackdown on peaceful, anti-war protests in view of the unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine is escalating in Russia.
Russia: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on media censorship and crackdown on peaceful anti-war protests
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“I am here really to thank you and to thank the Slovak people for their outstanding effort to support and welcome the people that are fleeing the war in Ukraine. And I think, in this very dark hour, that it is wonderful to see the unity and to see the solidarity that really sheds a positive light on a very, very difficult situation.”
Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Heger
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“I am here today to thank you and the warm-hearted Romanian people for welcoming with open arms people fleeing the war in Ukraine. In this dark hour, our unity and our solidarity with Ukraine and the victims of this atrocious war offer some light. Today, hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing from Putin’s bombs. They are leaving their homes and their lives behind. Sometimes, marching long hours in the snow, with young children, to reach safety in the European Union.”
Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Romanian President Iohannis |
António Guterres: “The General Assembly has spoken. As Secretary-General, it is my duty to stand by this resolution and be guided by its call. The message of the General Assembly is loud and clear: end hostilities in Ukraine — now; silence the guns — now; open the door to dialogue and diplomacy — now.”
Josep Borrell: “The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on “Aggression against Ukraine”, by an overwhelming majority of 141 in favour to 5 against (with 35 abstentions). The decision is clear. The world has issued a resounding condemnation of illegal and unprovoked attacks on a sovereign state.”
General Assembly Resolution Seeking End to Ukraine Hostilities ‘Is Loud and Clear’, Secretary-General Says, Warning Situation Could Get Worse |
The Council has decided to impose targeted restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, on 22 high ranked members of Belarusian military personnel in view of their role in the decision making and strategic planning processes that led to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian aggression against Ukraine. On 24 February, 20 members of Belarusian military personnel were already listed in the same context.
Belarus’ role in the Russian military aggression of Ukraine: Council imposes sanctions on additional 22 individuals and further restrictions on trade
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The European Union today agreed to exclude major Russian banks from the SWIFT system, the world’s dominant financial messaging system. This measure will prevent these banks from carrying out their financial transactions worldwide in a fast and efficient manner. Today’s decision has been closely coordinated with the EU’s international partners, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ukraine: EU agrees to exclude key Russian banks from SWIFT
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The European Union adopted sanctions against the Kremlin’s disinformation and information manipulation media. Following the announcement by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, the Council of the European Union decided to suspend the distribution of the state-owned disinformation media Russia Today and Sputnik throughout the EU, starting today.
Ukraine: Sanctions on Kremlin-backed outlets Russia Today and Sputnik
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March 2
Today, the Commission is proposing to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under this proposal, those fleeing the war will be granted temporary protection in the EU, meaning that they will be given a residence permit, and they will have access to education and to the labour market.
Ukraine: Commission proposes temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine and guidelines for border checks
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March 1
“I will try to share with you my thoughts on the meaning of the tragic events that we are living and the provisional lessons that we can draw from them, especially for the Common Security and Defence Policy, which I had the honour to try to develop and it remains an intergovernmental policy. A policy which is still in the hands of the Member States but cannot be implemented efficiently without the strong cooperation of the Commission competences. I think this is the moment in which the geopolitical Europe is being born.”
Russian aggression against Ukraine: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP plenary
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“It is not only Ukraine that is under attack. International law, rules-based international order, democracy and human dignity are also under attack. This is geopolitical terrorism, pure and simple.”
Remarks by President Charles Michel at the extraordinary debate at the European Parliament on Russian aggression against Ukraine
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“War has returned to Europe. Almost thirty years after the Balkan Wars, and over half a century after Soviet troops marched into Prague and Budapest, civil defence sirens again went off in the heart of a European capital. Thousands of people fleeing from bombs, camped in underground stations – holding hands, crying silently, trying to cheer each other up. Cars lined up towards Ukraine’s Western borders, and when many of them ran out of fuel, people picked up their children and backpacks and marched for tens of kilometres towards our Union.”
Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the Russian aggression against Ukraine |
February 28th
The Council added on February 28 26 individuals and one entity to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: Council imposes sanctions on 26 individuals and one entity
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EU defense ministers met by videoconference to discuss the latest situation on the ground in Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted military invasion. During the discussion, the ministers referred to the efforts already undertaken and their intention to intensify support in the coming days and weeks.
Informal Videoconference of Foreign Ministers (Defense), February 28, 2022.
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As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine worsens and neighboring countries receive Ukrainians fleeing their country, the European Commission is working on all fronts to provide emergency assistance.
Informal Videoconference of Foreign Ministers (Defense), February 28, 2022.
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In the face of the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and the escalation of the situation, the Council today agreed on a new set of measures that will impose severe consequences on Russia for its actions. These decisions have been agreed in close coordination with EU partners and allies.
EU adopts new set of measures to respond to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine
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News and statements prior to February 28:
Institutional statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (II) 21-27 February.
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Institutional statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (I) February 14-20
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