On June 15, 2023, the European Parliament, by 425 votes, adopted an important Resolution in support of European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine

MEPs in the Resolution:

• expressed unwavering support to the brave people of Ukraine who are defending and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine;
• once again strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, and unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine and the participation of the regime in Belarus in this war;
• confirmed their determination to continue supporting Ukraine until the full restoration and control of internationally recognized borders and throughout the process of sustainable recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine;
• condemned Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka dam on June 6, 2023, which caused extensive flooding, environmental disaster, and ecocide in Ukraine, which is considered a war crime;
• expressed concern about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP illegally occupied and controlled by the Russian Federation.

With regard to Ukraine’s European integration aspirations, the European Parliament once again confirmed the importance of Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO and called on the European Council and the European Commission to define a clear path for the start of accession negotiations based on a phased approach and to ensure that negotiations on accession to the EU could be opened already this year.

In addition, the Resolution contains a call for the gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU single market and sectoral programs, including access to EU funds in relevant areas.

In the context of the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, the European Parliament called to connect the reconstruction of Ukraine with its preparation for EU accession and current internal reforms to carry out the reconstruction process in accordance with the “build back better” principles and the goals of the European Green Deal, as well as to actively involve civil society, local self governance, youth, and other social groups to the process of rebuilding Ukraine.

In addition, the MEPs emphasized that the issue of rebuilding Ukraine should become a priority for the EU and expect a planned revision of the European Commission’s current financial plans for financial support of Ukraine’s long-term needs, notably through the Rebuild Ukraine Facility.

Regarding the security situation and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the European Parliament emphasized that the Ukrainian army proved to be one of the most hardened and experienced armies in the world by successfully stopping Russian aggression and recognized Ukraine’s significant contribution to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and the protection of its values by resisting the aggressive war.

In addition, by the Resolution, the MEPs emphasized that Ukraine’s integration into NATO and the EU will strengthen regional and global security and called on NATO allies to fulfill their obligations regarding Ukraine’s membership in NATO. They expect the upcoming summits in Vilnius and Washington to pave the way for Ukraine to be invited to join NATO and to develop future security guarantees for Ukraine.

In addition to the above, the Resolution contains provisions regarding further sanctions aimed at the strategic weakening of Russia’s military capabilities; a call for reforms in Ukraine and the importance of demining territories, etc. The text of the Resolution can be found in more detail on the website of the European Parliament.

The resolution on the sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community was proposed and submitted by MEP Petras Auštrevičius, who is the co-chair of the Contact Group between the Renew Europe Group at the European Parliament and the Servant of the People political party faction.

For reference: The contact group between the Renew Europe Group at the European Parliament and the Servant of the People parliamentary faction was established in February 2023 to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to jointly work on priority areas for Ukraine, in particular, the strengthening of military aid, sanctions pressure, and acceleration work on the European integration and Euro-Atlantic agenda of Ukraine. The leadership consists of four members, in particular, two MEPs – Petras Auštrevičius and Nathalie Loiseau, as well as two deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, representatives of the Servant of the People faction – Vadym Halaichuk and Yevheniia Kravchuk.