In a debate with French Minister Delegate Klinkert and President von der Leyen, MEPs said internal EU unity and solidarity is crucial now and for the future reconstruction of Ukraine. On Wednesday morning, MEPs discussed the social and economic consequences for the EU of Russia’s war in Ukraine. They applauded the sixth packet of sanctions […]
Speech by President von der Leyen at the EP on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine
Madam President, dear Roberta, Honourable Members, Next week, we will mark Europe Day. The 72nd birthday of our Union. This Europe Day will be all about the Union of the future – how we make it stronger, more resilient, closer to its people. But the answer to all of these questions, we cannot give alone. […]
Raising campaign for prevention of human trafficking during war
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 […]