France has violated the rights of French children detained for years in camps in northeast Syria by failing to repatriate them, the UN Child Rights Committee said in findings issued on Thursday.
The Committee had considered three cases filed by a group of French nationals whose grandchildren, nieces and nephews are currently being held in the Rawj, Ayn Isa and Hawl camps, which are under the control of Kurdish forces.
The cases concern 49 children whose parents are alleged to have collaborated with the ISIL terrorist network, also known by the Arabic term Da’esh.
Some were born in Syria, while others travelled there with their French parents at a very young age.
The Committee found that France has the responsibility and power to protect the children against an imminent risk to their lives by taking action to repatriate them.
The Committee also concluded that France has not shown that it gave due consideration to the best interests of the child victims when assessing their relatives’ requests for repatriation.
The cases were brought to the Committee in 2019 and so far, 11 children have been repatriated.
The other 38 remain detained in “closed camps in a war zone”, according to a statement from the Committee. Some are as young as five-years-old.
The Committee has urged France to take urgent action to repatriate them.
‘Inhuman sanitary conditions’
The situation in the camps is extremely urgent, said Committee member Ann Skelton.
“The children are living in inhuman sanitary conditions, lacking basic necessities including water, food and health care, and facing an imminent risk of death. At least 62 children have reportedly died in the camps as a result of these conditions since the beginning of 2021,” she said
“We call on France to take immediate action, as every day that passes there is a renewed possibility for further casualties.”
In the interim, the French authorities are also urged to take additional measures to mitigate the risks to life, survival and development of the children while they remain in Syria.
The Committee is made up of 18 members who are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world. They serve in their personal capacity and are not UN staff nor do they receive a salary.
The President of the European Parliament delivered the following statement at the European Council on Thursday.
“Dear President of the European Council,
Dear President of the European Commission,
Dear Presidents and Prime Ministers,
Dear friends,
The scenes in Ukraine are difficult to witness – while we hoped and worked to promote a process of de-escalation, our fears and warnings were tragically realised this morning. President Putin has unleashed war in Europe.
This is outrageous. Cities, regions, Capitals of independent nations are not there for the taking. This is from the world of the painful past. It must never return.
The European Parliament’s political leaders were clear this morning and we will hold an extraordinary plenary session on Tuesday on the situation. We are together in our condemnation and our solidarity.
The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged.
Ukraine is a country that embraced democracy and freedom – that believed it could forge a path for itself. Looking around the table, I can see the leaders of Member States whose populations believed the same. We cannot leave Ukraine alone. For their sake and for ours. We must show real solidarity with the people of Ukraine who awoke to their worst nightmare today.
We must also show solidarity with people fleeing and with Ukraine’s immediate EU neighbours as they face security and humanitarian challenges. I know many of you have already launched proactive measures – and you can count on the European Parliament for support.
The European Union has proved itself united and resolute. We spoke with one voice when it mattered the most. This must be the message that emerges from here tonight: that we will act in unison, that we have the political will and strategic capability to face this threat. That we stand with Ukraine.
We recognise Ukraine’s European perspective. We already have an association agreement and a free trade agreement, and very close cooperation with Ukraine in many areas, including on energy security. This is a conversation that we must keep having with our Ukrainian friends.
Europe stands for a way of life that embraces freedom and democracy. This is our strength.
We must not allow our resolve to be watered down by an aggressive Russia that pushes forward a value set that is very different to ours. That looks back at spheres of influence instead of forward to circles of cooperation.
If we are tempted to accommodate, to take a step back – we will be soon face another ultimatum. And what then?
Today, we face a threat not of our making, that we did not provoke – that we did not invite. Confronted with this aggression we have proved that the right thing to do is also the sensible thing to do.
It is right and it is sensible to show practical solidarity with Ukraine as we did with the € 1.2 billion assistance – as we have done with our statements and our actions. The people of Ukraine must know we are with them.
It is right and sensible to show our citizens in the Baltics and neighbouring States that our values matter. That we are prepared to pay a price for them if necessary. We must reaffirm this knowing the eyes of people in Moldova, Belarus and Georgia are on us.
It is right and sensible to have halted the Nordstream 2 project – perhaps to even go further.
And it is right and sensible to adopt massive, unprecedented, severe sanctions on Russia. We need more and they must be further-reaching including the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT system, individual sanctions with noone off the table. Then we need the same commitment to develop a true European security and defence union
Let me shortly raise two issues that we cannot ignore.
We all understand that the threat goes beyond the immediate and that there are real implications for our energy security. We cannot ignore that we have Member States that are totally reliant on Russian gas. We need to diversify our energy solutions and invest massively in Europe and in renewables.
Sowing doubt, instability and fear accompany the Kremlin’s conventional warfare apparatus. This war is also being waged online. The Putin-backed narrative – a coordinated disinformation campaign – is spreading. We need to do more to counter the toxic re-writing of history. Let me assure you the European Parliament and its Members are committed to pushing forward the message of Europe
Finally, let me say that the Kremlin has long thought it could buy its way into Europe. It is time to close any loopholes, end the dangerous phenomenon of golden passports that provide a backdoor to European citizenship and ensure that Russian money does not become as critical as Russian gas.
At the end of the day, this is how we achieve our strategic autonomy.
Russian military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine “on a scale that Europe has not seen in decades, conflict directly with the United Nations Charter,” Secretary-General António Guterres told journalists on Thursday.
Secretary-General António Guterres releases $20M for humanitarian support
Despite a sustained UN-led and international diplomatic push to avert military action in Ukraine, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin did just that – triggering a barrage of reactions, beginning with the UN chief, condemning the move and appealing for peace.
“All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,” he said, quoting the Charter.
Wrong but not irreversible
He underscored that the use of force by one country against another is “the repudiation of the principles that every country has committed to uphold”, which he stated, applies to the present military offensive.
“It is wrong. It is against the Charter. It is unacceptable. But it is not irreversible”, the UN chief said.
He went on to repeat the appeal he made to Russian President Vladimir Putin last night.
“Stop the military operation. Bring the troops back to Russia”, he reiterated.
Toll of war
As deaths rise, and images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine are pervasive, the top UN official reminded that “people – everyday innocent people – always pay the highest price”.
This is why the UN is scaling up its humanitarian operations in and around Ukraine.
“Today I am announcing that we will immediately allocate $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to meet urgent needs,” he flagged, reiterating that the UN and its humanitarian partners are “committed to staying and delivering, to support people in Ukraine in their time of need”.
Assisting both side
He informed the reporters that UN staff are working on “both sides of the contact line,” providing lifesaving humanitarian relief to people in need, “regardless of who or where they are”.
“The protection of civilians must be priority number one”, he stressed.
The UN chief restated that international humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld, nothing that the decisions of the coming days “will shape our world and directly affect the lives of millions upon millions of people”.
“In line with the Charter, it’s not too late to save this generation from the scourge of war,” concluded the Secretary-General, “we need peace”.
OHCHR: Violating international law
Prior to the media briefing, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a statement on the military attack.
“Civilians in various parts of Ukraine were awoken by sounds of heavy bombardment and are terrified of further escalation, with many fleeing their homes,” she said. “This military action clearly violates international law and puts at risk countless civilian lives. It must be immediately halted.”
Ms. Bachelet reminded that States failing to take all reasonable measures to settle their international disputes by peaceful means “fall short of complying with their obligation to protect the right to life.”
Civilian protection a priority
Reports have emerged of military strikes near major cities with significant populations, including Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Mariupol and the capital, Kyiv.
“The protection of the civilian population must be a priority. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas should – at all costs – be avoided,” underscored the High Commissioner.
She called for the full respect of international humanitarian law, in particular the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their first additional protocol of 1977, as well as international human rights law.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission remains in the country and will continue to closely monitor and report on the situation.
‘Information war’
The UN human rights chief also warned of “an information war” under way.
“It is particularly crucial at this time that we continue to closely monitor and attempt to verify reports of human rights violations, including civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects, including critical infrastructure, and other impact on human rights on the ground,” she upheld.
UN coordinator: Guiding humanitarian principles
Meanwhile, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, expressed the Organization’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
“As we try to understand the evolving situation in different parts of the country… we are here to support the people exhausted by years of conflict and we are prepared to respond in case of any increase in humanitarian needs”, she said in a statement.
Ms. Lubrani reminded that humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are the four principles guiding humanitarian assistance.
“Our aim is always to provide the most vulnerable civilians with critical humanitarian relief supplies and services, regardless of who or where they are,”she assured.
This includes the obligations under the Security CouncilResolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict, to promote free, independent and impartial media as one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, and which can contribute to the protection of civilians.
Finally, UNESCO also called for “restraint from attacks on, or harm to, children, teachers, education personnel or schools, and for the right to education to be upheld”.
UNICEF: Refrain from harming children
At the same time, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) echoed the Secretary-General’s appeal for an immediate cease-fire and called on all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm, and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need.
“UNICEF also calls on all parties to refrain from attacking essential infrastructure on which children depend – including water and sanitation systems, health facilities and schools,” added UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
The World Food Programme (WFP) expressed deep concern “for the impact of hostilities on the lives and livelihoods of civilians.”
“As the situation evolves, there is a need to ensure that affected communities have continued access to any humanitarian support they may require and that the safety of humanitarian staff on the ground is guaranteed,” said WFP Director of Emergencies Margot van der Velden.
Taking to social media, WFP chief David Beasly tweeted that “And just when you think it can’t get any worse, the world wakes up to a conflict in Ukraine.”
He pointed out that the military action is likely to cause economic deterioration around the world especially for countries like Yemen, dependent on wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia.
“Prices will go up compounding an already terrible situation,” he lamented.
UN Photo/Loey FelipeSecretary-General António Guterres briefs journalists on the current situation in Ukraine.
The Russian offensive continues its advance towards Kiev.
Fighting is underway near the nuclear waste depot at the Chernobyl plant “The troops of the occupants entered from Belarus into the area of the Chernobyl plant. Members of the National Guard protecting the depot are stubbornly resisting,” Interior Ministry adviser Anton Guerashchenko wrote on Telegram.
The situation is also “tense” in the south of the country, where fighting is taking place for the towns of Genitchesk, Skadovsk and Chaplynka in the Kherson region near Crimea, he added.
“Fighting is underway for the airport of Gostomel” located a few kilometers northwest of Kiev, had announced the head of the Ukrainian army Valery Zaloujny. Images on social networks show that it was apparently attacked by numerous helicopters.
Ukrainian capital Kiev imposes curfew in the afternoon
The mayor of Kiev announced the establishment of a curfew in the Ukrainian capital to preserve “security” of residents after the start of the Russian invasion. “The curfew will last from 22:00 to 07:00,” added the mayor in a statement, specifying that public transport would not operate during this period but that the metro stations would remain open permanently to serve as shelters in case of strikes.
According to Zelensky, who was speaking in a video address at around 5:00 p.m., the airport was taken by Russian forces but the landing of paratroopers in Gostomel, where it is located, was “blocked” and Ukrainian forces who “received orders to destroy them.”
Russia bans anti-war demonstrations.
The Russian Interior Ministry announced that such gatherings would be made “illegal” on Thursday, February 24. There have been some 700 arrests of anti-war protesters in Russia, according to NGOs
Russia has just claimed that it has “successfully” fulfilled all the objectives set on the first day of its invasion of Ukraine. “All tasks assigned to the military groups of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day were successfully completed,” said Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
Russia says it has destroyed 74 military installations, including 11 airfields
“As a result of strikes by the Russian armed forces, 74 land-based facilities of the Ukrainian military infrastructure have been put out of action. This includes 11 airfields of the air force,” announced on television the spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Defense, General Igor Konashenkov.
Nato
Nato is deploying forces and preparing an emergency meeting on Friday. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) has announced the deployment of “defensive ground and air forces (…) as well as additional maritime assets” in the eastern countries of the Alliance, of which Ukraine is not a part. “Our measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and not progressive,” said the organization,.
Several Nato member countries have triggered Article 4 of the Alliance’s treaty. This is the case of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Their desire is to launch consultations following the attack of Russia against Ukraine.which also convened a summit Friday, at the request of Estonia and Lithuania.
Sanctions
Western sanctions against Moscow are multiplying. While Germany has announced the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. The United Kingdom has announced a series of measures against the Russian banking system.
U.S. President Joe Biden will address Americans at 7:30 p.m. about “the unprovoked and unwarranted attack on Ukraine by Russia,” the White House said in a statement.
He is expected to discuss the U.S. response, which has promised to deeply undermine the Russian economy and finance, after consulting with his G7 counterparts.
Early this morning, Russian troops invaded Ukraine, a free and sovereign country. Once again, in the centre of Europe, innocent women, men and children are dying or fear for their lives. We condemn this barbaric attack, and the cynical arguments to justify it.
It is President Putin, who is bringing war back to Europe. In these dark hours, the European Union and its people stand by Ukraine and its people. We are facing an unprecedented act of aggression by the Russian leadership against a sovereign, independent country. Russia’s target is not only Donbas, the target is not only Ukraine, the target is the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order. And we will hold President Putin accountable for that.
Later today, we will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions, to European Leaders for approval. With this package, we will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to technologies and markets that are key for Russia. We will weaken Russia’s economic base and its capacity to modernise. And in addition, we will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets. Like with the first package of sanctions, we are closely aligned with our partners and allies – the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, but also, for example, Japan and Australia. These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s interests and their ability to finance war.
And we know that millions of Russians do not want war. President Putin is trying to turn back the clock to the times of the Russian empire. But in doing so, he is putting at risk the future of the Russian people. I call on Russia to immediately stop the violence and to withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s territory. We will not let President Putin tear down the security architecture that has given Europe peace and stability over many decades. We will not allow President Putin to replace the rule of law by the rule of force and ruthlessness. He should not underestimate the resolve and strength of our democracies.
History has proven that societies and alliances built on trust and freedom are resilient and successful. And that is exactly what the autocrats fear. The European Union stands with Ukraine and its people. We will continue to support them. Ukraine will prevail.
We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) are appalled by and condemn the large-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, directed partly from Belarusian soil. This unprovoked and completely unjustified attack on the democratic state of Ukraine was preceded by fabricated claims and unfounded allegations. It constitutes a serious violation of international law and a grave breach of the United Nations Charter and all commitments Russia entered in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris and its commitments in the Budapest Memorandum. We as the G7 are bringing forward severe and coordinated economic and financial sanctions. We call on all partners and members of the international community to condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and raise their voice against this blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international peace and security.
This crisis is a serious threat to the rules-based international order, with ramifications well beyond Europe. There is no justification for changing internationally recognized borders by force. This has fundamentally changed the Euro-Atlantic security situation. President Putin has re-introduced war to the European continent. He has put himself on the wrong side of history.
We are committed to uphold peace, stability and international law. We are united in our support for the people of Ukraine and its democratically elected government. In this dark hour our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. We stand ready to support with humanitarian assistance in order to mitigate the suffering, including for refugees and displaced persons from the Russian aggression.
We call on the Russian Federation to stop the bloodshed, to immediately de-escalate and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. We also call on Russia to ensure the safety of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine and call on Belarus to abide by its international obligations.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russian President Putin’s decision on February 21 to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk self-declared entities in eastern Ukraine as “independent” states as well as his decision to send Russian military forces into these regions. We call on other states not to follow Russia’s illegal decision to recognize the proclaimed independence of these entities. The decision by President Putin is a grave violation of the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states and also a blatant breach of UN Security Council resolution 2202 – supported by the Russian Federation as a permanent member of the Security Council – as well as of the Minsk agreements, which stipulate the return of the areas concerned to the control of the Ukrainian Government.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future and security arrangements. We reaffirm that illegally occupied Crimea and the self-declared “people’s republics” are an integral part of Ukraine.
We condemn President Putin for his consistent refusal to engage in a diplomatic process to address questions pertaining to European security, despite our repeated offers.
We stand united with partners, including NATO, the EU and their member states as well as Ukraine and remain determined to do what is necessary to preserve the integrity of the international-rules base order. In this regard, we are also closely monitoring global oil and gas market conditions, including in the context of Russia’s further military aggression against Ukraine. We support consistent and constructive engagement and coordination among major energy producers and consumers toward our collective interest in the stability of global energy supplies, and stand ready to act as needed to address potential disruptions. Visit the meeting page
The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the European Commission proposal for a corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD). This draft directive will complement the European sustainable finance strategy.
The adoption, at the instigation of the French presidency, of a common position by the member states on this text is another decisive step in the development of a European regulatory framework for sustainable finance. Ultimately, companies with more than 250 employees or listed companies will now have to translate their environmental, social and governance policy into standardised, justified and certified information documents. This means greater transparency for citizens, consumers and investors so that businesses can play their full part in society. This is the end of greenwashing. Today, Europe sets the rigorous non-financial reference standards of tomorrow, in line with our environmental and social ambitions.
Bruno Le Maire, Minister for Economic Affairs, Finance and Recovery
The European Commission’s proposal revises the non-financial reporting directive from 2014 and will ensure the robustness of companies’ commitments by introducing the following new features:
an extension of the scope to all large companies and companies listed on a regulated market (except listed micro-companies)
a certification requirement for sustainability reporting
more detailed and standardised requirements on the information to be published by companies
improved accessibility of information, by requiring its publication in a dedicated section of company management reports
These changes will increase a company’s accountability, prevent divergent national standards and ease the transition to a sustainable economy.
Updating the non-financial reporting directive (NFRD)
The proposal aims to address shortcomings in the existing rules on disclosure of non-financial information, which was of insufficient quality and comparability to allow it to be properly taken into account by investors. Such shortcomings hinder the transition to a sustainable economy.
This directive confirms the EU’s leading role in setting sustainable standards. The harmonisation of sustainability data will be made possible by the definition of sustainability reporting standards, which the European Commission is to adopt by delegated act following technical advice from the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) and a number of European agencies.
The text proposes a broader scope, provides for clearer and broader reporting requirements, and ensures that reporting complies with mandatory EU standards. It also provides that digital access to sustainability information will become a requirement.
Changes to the scope
The Council amended the scope proposed by the European Commission in order to ensure that reporting requirements are not too burdensome for listed SMEs (since the obligations do not apply to other SMEs) and that they have sufficient time to adapt to the new rules.
Background and next steps
The European Commission submitted the CSRD proposal on 21 April 2021.
The general approach reached today completes the negotiating position agreed by the Council. It provides the Council presidency with a mandate for further discussions with the European Parliament, which are expected to start in spring 2022.
EP President and political group leaders agree to hold an extraordinary plenary session on Tuesday, 1 March to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At an extraordinary meeting of Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of Parliament’s political groups decided to hold an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels on Tuesday, 1 March starting at 12:00. They will debate Parliament’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, and adopt a related resolution.
On Thursday 24 February, a statement by the Conference of Presidents condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and called the invasion unjustified and illegal. MEPs said that Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
Amid reports on Thursday that people were fleeing en masse from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev following Russia’s so-called “special military operation,” UN humanitarians warned of the “devastating” consequences of military action.
“There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart,” said Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Civilian lives and infrastructure “must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with international humanitarian law”, Mr. Grandi continued, adding that the UN is working with Ukrainian authorities and partners to provide humanitarian assistance “wherever necessary and possible”.
“To that effect, security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed,” he added.
There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart – UN refugee chief
Since 2015, UNHCR has delivered 141 humanitarian convoys to non-Government-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.
Last year, 24 humanitarian convoys consisting of 202 trucks delivered various humanitarian items to help meet the high level of humanitarian needs among the civilian population there.
Underscoring the UN’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the top UN humanitarian official in the country, Osnat Lubrani, insisted that the Organization and aid partners “are committed to staying and delivering. We are here to support the people exhausted by years of conflict and we are prepared to respond in case of any increase in humanitarian needs.”
UNICEF echoes the appeal of the @UN Secretary-General for an immediate cease-fire and calls on all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm. pic.twitter.com/G3MuhIKZVv
Echoing that message, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that it was also deeply concerned for the “lives and wellbeing” of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children.
UNICEF chief Catherine Russell noted that “heavy weapons fire” along the contact line in the east of the country had already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days.
“Unless the fighting subsides, tens of thousands of families could be forcibly displaced, dramatically escalating humanitarian needs,” Ms. Russell warned, adding that “the past eight years of conflict have inflicted profound and lasting damage to children on both sides of the line of contact”.
“The children of Ukraine need peace, desperately, now.”
Meanwhile, UNICEF continues to provide psychosocial care to those children who have been traumatized by chronic insecurity.
It is also increasing large-scale, life-saving programmes, including by trucking safe water to conflict-affected areas; prepositioning health, hygiene and emergency education supplies as close as possible to communities near the line of contact; and working with municipalities to ensure immediate help for children and families in need.
Diplomatic efforts
The development followed a sustained UN-led and international diplomatic push to avert the crisis late on Wednesday night that saw Secretary-General António Guterres appeal directly to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
“President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine, give peace a chance,” Mr. Guterres said, at the start of an emergency meeting of the Council – its second late-night session in a week.
That appeal came after speakers took the floor at the 193-member General Assembly to denounce Russia’s actions towards Ukraine and appeal for diplomacy.
“Let’s give peace all the chance it deserves,” said UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid, hours after Secretary-General António Guterres had warned that “the entire international system” was being tested by the Ukraine crisis.
In this press kit, you will find a selection of the European Parliament’s press releases that show MEPs’ priorities in relation to topics on the summit agenda.
European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, will represent the European Parliament at the summit and address the heads of state or government and hold a press conference in the European Council press room on Thursday, 24 February at 20:30.
EU leaders will meet physically today for a special summit meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military actions that undermine European and regional security and stability.
Additional information, including contact details for the MEPs involved, can be found on the European Parliament’s website.
President’s and group leaders’ statement on Russia’s military attack on Ukraine
Earlier today, Parliament’s President and group leaders adopted a statement on Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, and announced an extraordinary plenary session for next Tuesday 1 March.
“We remain firm in our unity, in our resolve and in our response to unprovoked Russian aggression. The European Parliament supports an unprecedented European and international response, including new and severe sanctions that will ensure the Kremlin will be held accountable for its actions”, the Conference of Presidents strongly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, and expressed full solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people. “Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered”, the statement concluded.
European Parliament resolution adopted in December
In a resolution on Ukraine, adopted in December, the European Parliament expressed its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Financial support to Ukraine
On Wednesday, 16 February, MEPs gave the green light to a €1.2 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine cover its external financing needs in 2022. Parliament agreed to a Commission proposal to provide Kyiv with macro-financial assistance, an emergency resource for EU neighbourhood countries struggling to pay their bills. Half of the 1.2 billion euro loan can be disbursed immediately to foster stability in Ukraine, if certain preconditions are met.
Fact-finding mission to Ukraine (30 January-1 February)
A high-level delegation of the European Parliament concluded a fact-finding mission to Ukraine three weeks ago. Nine members from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Security and Defence Subcommittee, led by Chairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk as well as other Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations. During their visit from 30 January to 1 February, MEPs emphasised that the military build-up and hybrid warfare attacks on Ukraine are regarded as attacks on European security as a whole that amount to a systematic attempt by Russia to create divisions in Europe and amongst Europeans and the United States. Besides Kyiv, the delegation visited Mariupol, strategic port in the southeast of Ukraine on the Sea of Azov.
