On May 2, the European Union together with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched an all-Ukrainian awareness-raising campaign for prevention of human trafficking during the war. The campaign, funded by the EU, will cover the basic security rules and risks of human trafficking that Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion need to be aware of. During May, the […]
World Press Freedom Day. Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU
As we mark World Press Freedom Day, brave journalists, camera crews, reporters, photographers and bloggers are risking their lives to keep us informed about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. Russian forces are detaining, abducting or kidnapping and targeting journalists and civil society actors to prevent the world from hearing the truth. We […]
China’S Balancing Act On The Ukraine War
Chinese media and officials have made it clear: it is not Russia that is to blame for the military aggression against Ukraine, but the West and NATO’s eastward expansion of the past 20 years, ignoring Russia’s ‘legitimate security concerns’. At the same time, China ‘respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries’. Over the […]
The war in Ukraine: protection for refugee women from violence and sexual exploitation
The EU should protect women fleeing Ukraine from violence and trafficking, and women should have access to essential health services, say Gender Equality Committee MEPs. In a resolution adopted by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality on Monday by 29 votes in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions, MEPs strongly condemn the use of sexual […]
EU introduces exceptions to restrictive measures to facilitate humanitarian activities in Ukraine
In view of the humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the Council introduced humanitarian exceptions1 in two sanctions regimes concerning the situation in Ukraine: restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (“Ukraine territorial integrity regime”), and restrictive measures in response to […]
EU adopts fifth package of sanctions against Russia
In light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the reported atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, the Council decided to impose a fifth package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The agreed package includes a series of measures intended to reinforce pressure on the Russian government and economy, and […]
Charles Michel: Europe’s values, freedom and democracy will prevail
Just two weeks ago in this parliament, we expressed our shock and horror. The martyrdom of Mariupol, crimes against the city, crimes against its people. And today we express our outrage at crimes against humanity – against innocent civilians – in Bucha and in many other cities. Yet more proof that Russian brutality against the […]
The EU will have to act to intensify its support for Moldova in the wake of the war in Ukraine
A European Parliament delegation, which travelled to the Republic of Moldova against the backdrop of the worsening security situation in Europe, ended its visit on Saturday 2 April. In Chișinău, seven members from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on Security and Defence, led by Urmas Paet (Renew Europe, Estonia) and Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France), met […]
Josep Borrell’s statement on the alignment of some countries regarding measures threatening Ukraine’s independence.
On 10 March 2022, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/411[1]. The Council decision extends the Decision until 15 September 2022 and amends the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania[2], the country of the Stabilisation […]