(Brussels) European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday accused Russia of “geopolitical terrorism” for its invasion of Ukraine, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning that the “fate” of the EU was “ stake “.
Posted at 12:53 p.m.
In addition to sanctions against Moscow and arms deliveries to Ukrainian forces, Mme von der Leyen promised to commit at least 500 million euros from the European budget for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and refugees.
PHOTO JOHN THYS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during a special plenary session of the European Parliament focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 01, 2022. – The European Commission has opened the door for Ukraine to join the EU, but this is not for tomorrow, despite Kiev’s request for a special procedure to integrate the country “without delay”. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
“It is not only Ukraine that is under attack. International law, the rules-based international order, democracy, human dignity are also under attack. This is geopolitical terrorism pure and simple,” said Charles Michel, who represents the 27 EU member states, in a speech to the European Parliament.
Moscow “unleashed this war based on despicable lies, for one and only reason, because you, people of Ukraine, in Maidan Square (during the pro-Western demonstrations in 2014), you chose the freedom and democracy,” he added.
“The way we respond today to what Russia is doing will determine the future of the international system,” warned the head of the European executive Ursula von der Leyen, before the MEPs gathered in Brussels in extraordinary session.
“The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance, but our own fate also hangs in the balance. We have to show the power that lies in our democracies,” she said.
“Prove that you are with us! »
In a videoconference speech to MEPs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is calling for his country’s “immediate” integration into the EU, asked Europeans on Tuesday to “prove that they are with Ukraine”.
“We are fighting for our rights, for our freedoms, for our lives, for our survival […] prove to us that you are with us, prove to us that you are not abandoning us, and that you are really Europeans! “, he launched, applauded several times in the hemicycle.
“We will take our responsibilities,” replied Charles Michel.
In addition to the unprecedented sanctions adopted by the West against Russia, the EU will draw 450 million euros from the “European Peace Facility” (EPF), a fund outside the European budget specially intended to finance military purchases, in order to to deliver armaments to the Ukrainian forces.
The humanitarian aid of “at least 500 million euros”, announced on Tuesday, “should make it possible to deal with the humanitarian consequences of this tragic war”, both for the civilian populations affected and displaced within Ukraine and for refugees pouring into neighboring European countries.
According to the UN, the Russian military intervention has displaced a million people in Ukraine and more than 660,000 people have fled to neighboring countries.
MEPs adopted in the afternoon by an overwhelming majority (637 votes for, 13 against, 26 abstentions) a resolution condemning “in the harshest terms the illegal military aggression and the invasion of Ukraine”.
The non-binding text calls on European institutions to “work for the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine” and calls for an extension of sanctions against Moscow. Parliament calls in particular for a restriction of oil and gas imports, as well as the exclusion of all Russian banks from the European financial system.