The President of the European Parliament and the leaders of the political groups adopted the following declaration on the occasion of the 1000 days of Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine
"Today marks 1,000 days since Russia unleashed a brutal war against Ukraine.
We, the leaders of the political groups of the European Parliament, reiterate our strong and unwavering support and solidarity with Ukraine on this terrible milestone of 1000 days since the start of Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression.
We stand by our call for the European Union to show courage, determination and vision at this crucial moment: to step up its support for Ukraine in all ways, including political, financial, military and humanitarian assistance.
We have opened EU accession talks with Ukraine because Ukraine is moving towards taking its rightful place in our European family. Ukraine's gradual integration into the Union will be a central task for all EU institutions in this legislative period, as will the provision of long-term financial and military assistance and much-needed support.
But Europe's action alone is not enough to protect Ukraine from this cruel and bloody invasion. We call on all of Ukraine's international partners to act together to maintain the widest 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 the war crimes and crime of aggression committed by Russia and its proxies, and the need for Russian reparations and other payments for the enormous damage caused in Ukraine.
To that end, we will send a letter to parliaments around the world calling on the democratic world to continue to support Ukraine when it desperately needs it. Keep this ongoing crisis at the top of the global agenda. Because a threat to one democracy is a threat to every democracy.
This Parliament also calls on other democratic countries to join the European Union in condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, Belarus and China for their continued illegal supply of arms to Russia and the deployment of DPRK forces in Russia, thus supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In addition, we must work together for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages and the return of abducted and illegally adopted Ukrainian children.
We expect the incoming Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine and remain steadfast in its commitment to NATO, while Europe continues to build a genuine defence union and strengthen its defence capabilities. And we call for a significant expansion of sanctions against Russia, as well as for finding more effective ways for like-minded partners to join us in the effort to topple the Russian war machine.
We reiterate that the ultimate goal remains the achievement of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine on Ukraine's terms, ensuring the security and dignity of its people within a peaceful and stable Europe.
Together, the democratic world must send a clear and simple message: we stand with Ukraine and support it in every possible way until victory.
Glory to Ukraine."
Zelensky to the Members of the European Parliament: "We must end this war fairly and justly"
On Tuesday was held extraordinary plenary session of Parliament with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskywhich took place on the occasion of the 1000 days of the full-scale Russian invasion.
President of the EP Roberta Metsola declared at the opening of the session that Parliament will continue to stand by Ukraine until it has "freedom and real peace, for as long as necessary".
It also said that Russia had launched a "brutal, unprovoked and unlawful attack on Ukraine, but also on the rule-based order". The sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in the last 1 000 days is not just for themselves, but for the freedom and way of life of every European, added President Metsola. "Any real peace must be built on the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'," Metsola stressed in her final summary.
Surely we can push Russia towards a just peace
In his speech, President Zelenskiy thanked the EU for its continued support and said that Ukraine, all of Europe and our partners in America and around the world have succeeded in not only "to prevent Putin from occupying Ukraine"but also to defend the freedom of all European nations. "Putin remains less than the united force of Europe. I urge you not to forget this and not to forget how much Europe is capable of achieving. Surely we can push Russia towards a just peace. Peace is what we want most," He added.
President Zelensky thanked his partners for supporting the Ukrainian Peace Formula, a Ukrainian-led initiative to achieve a just end to the war, while stressing that Russia's war must be responded to with tough sanctions, especially against its so-called "shadow tankers" carrying oil and petroleum products. "Putin can kill as long as these tankers work," he said and continued: "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."
In conclusion, President Zelensky said: "No one can enjoy calm water in the middle of a storm. We must do everything in our power to end this war fairly and justly. A thousand days of war is a huge challenge. We must make next year the year of peace."
Speakers from political groups
Most political leaders reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine and called on the EU leadership to provide Ukraine with the weapons necessary to win the war, including air defence systems, long-range missiles, tanks and drones. In light of the recent US elections, MEPs said that Europe must remain united and take greater responsibility while continuing to provide financial and humanitarian aid. Several leaders of the group reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's aspirations for EU and NATO membership, as well as the creation of a genuine European defence pillar. They stressed that Europe will support Ukraine for as long as necessary and with whatever is required to do so.
At the end of the meeting, President Metsola announced that the flag of Ukraine would fly alongside the EU flag on Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
EP/ gnews - RoZ
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