The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes this week’s statement by EU Foreign Affairs ministers, who condemned Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and warned the Kremlin that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs.

Following the simmering tensions with Russia, the European Commission also approved a new financial assistance package to Ukraine made of both emergency loans and grants, proving again the EU’s solidarity with its neighbour. Any security threats taking place on the European continent are a danger to the security of all EU Member States.

Hilde Vautmans MEP (Open Vld, BE), Renew Europe Group coordinator in the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, said:

“Only EU unity will deter the Russian bear. The EU's words of unity must be met with concrete actions demonstrating that Europe is fully united in our resolve to counter Russia's actions. Russia must be made aware that the West will not give in to its illegitimate requests based on myths and lies. I therefore fully welcome EU foreign ministers’ statements underlining the right of every sovereign nation to choose its own path.”

On 30 January, Nathalie Loiseau MEP (LREM, FR), Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence and Petras Auštrevičius MEP (Liberal Movement, LT), Shadow Rapporteur on Ukraine, will travel to Kyiv as part of the official delegation of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee and the Security and Defence Subcommittee.

Commenting on this upcoming mission, the Loiseau and Auštrevičius said it will assess the current security crisis and show EU support to Ukraine:

“The right to choose its alliances, the inviolability and integrity of its territories are fundamental rights of sovereign states, which cannot be threatened without a strong and firm answer from Europe.”

“The EU response to Russia's aggressive behaviour and blackmail must remain unanimous and very clear: there will be no concessions, as Ukraine remains an indivisible part of security space in Europe. Yet recently, Russian troops have been introduced to Belarus, which means the de facto annexation of the EU’s neighbour and the destruction of the remnants of Belarusian sovereignty.”

In December 2021, ALDE Party adopted a resolution on the warning signals that Russia may be planning an invasion of Ukraine. Find out more here or below.

Ahead of today’s #FAC @EUCouncil, ALDE Party reiterates our call for 🇪🇺:
🇺🇦 Stand united firmly on Ukraine territorial integrity
✅ Enact decisive measures if Russia invades
🚫 Non-recognition of illegal Crimea annexation
And more – read our resolution ➡️ https://t.co/gpHmDauIrN pic.twitter.com/z1cl2bjRr7

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) January 24, 2022