On Tuesday, Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to mark the 1000th day since Russia’s full-scale invasion. In her opening remarks, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that Parliament would continue to stand with Ukraine until it achieves “freedom and real peace, for as long as it takes.” She emphasised that Russia had launched a “brutal, unprovoked, and illegal assault on Ukraine and on the rules-based order.”
President Metsola noted that the sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people over the past 1000 days are not only for themselves but for the freedom and way of life of every European. She concluded by highlighting that “any real peace must be built on the principle of ‘nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.'”
Zelenskyy: “We can surely push Russia towards a just peace.”
In his address, President Zelenskyy thanked the EU for its continuing support and said that Ukraine, all of Europe and our partners in America and around the world have succeeded not only in “preventing Putin from taking Ukraine” but also in defending the freedom of all European nations. “Putin remains smaller than the united strength of Europe. I urge you not to forget this and not to forget how much Europe is capable of achieving. We can surely push Russia towards a just peace. Peace is what we desire the most,” he added. While thanking its partners for their support for Ukraine’s Peace Formula, a Ukraine-led initiative to achieve a just conclusion to the war, President Zelenskyy stressed that Russia’s war must be met with firm sanctions, especially against its so-called “shadow tankers” transporting crude oil and petroleum products. “Putin can kill as long as these tankers operate,” he said before continuing: “You know very well that Putin does not value people or rules, only money and power. These are the things we must take away from him to restore peace.”
President Zelenskyy said, “No one can enjoy calm water amid the storm. We must do everything we can to end this war fairly and justly. One thousand days of war is a tremendous challenge. We must make the next year the year of peace.”
Intervention by political group speakers
The majority of political group leaders reaffirmed their firm support for Ukraine, calling on the EU’s leadership to deliver the necessary arms for Ukraine to win the war, including air defence systems, long-range missiles, tanks and drones. In light of the recent US elections, MEPs said Europe must stay united and take up more responsibility while continuing to provide financial and humanitarian aid.
Several group leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership aspirations and the creation of a true European defence pillar. They stressed that Europe will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and with everything it takes.
“We, the leaders of the Political Groups of the European Parliament, reiterate our strong and unwavering support for and solidarity with Ukraine on this terrible milestone of 1000 days since the start of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression,” the leaders of the Political Groups say in a press release.
“We stand firm in our call for the European Union to show courage, resolve and vision at this crucial moment: stepping up support for Ukraine in every way, including politically, financially, militarily and with humanitarian aid,” they added.
The leaders also emphasised starting EU accession talks with Ukraine “as it moves towards taking its rightful place in our European family.” Gradually integrating Ukraine into the EU “will be a central task for all EU institutions in this legislature, along with providing long-term financial and military assistance and much-needed support”.
However, the leaders highlighted that the action of Europe alone “is not enough to protect Ukraine from this cruel and bloody invasion“, and said they call on all international partners of Ukraine to act together in maintaining the broadest possible support for Ukraine.
“This action must be based on full respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the principles of international law, accountability for war crimes and the crime of aggression committed by Russia and its proxies, and the need for Russian reparations and other payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine”.
Closing the session, President Metsola announced that the Ukrainian flag would fly alongside the EU flag at Parliament’s buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg.
