Saskia Bricmont EUdebates Russian aggression in Ukraine

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, près de deux semaines depuis l’invasion russe en Ukraine et déjà deux millions de personnes sur les routes de l’exil qui fuient une attaque chaque jour plus meurtrière et inique. Deux millions, et davantage à venir. Autant de vies et d’enfances brisées, de séparations dues à la guerre, de résistance sans faille.

Face à ce drame, l’Europe active la protection temporaire des réfugiés ukrainiens. Une décision somme toute normale et bienvenue après tant d’années d’une solidarité à l’égard des exilés reposant uniquement sur les épaules des citoyens solidaires et des associations, sans réel soutien des pouvoirs publics. Cette protection doit désormais s’appliquer à toute personne fuyant l’Ukraine. Elle doit aussi être accompagnée de moyens humains et financiers pour assurer un accueil digne et une protection de ces personnes dans les États membres.

Le réveil des consciences touche au cœur de notre humanité. L’élan de solidarité et de générosité qui nous envahit doit nous faire prendre conscience que toute personne qui fuit son pays doit trouver refuge en Europe, en tout temps, sans distinction, sans discrimination. La forteresse Europe doit tomber. Vive l’Europe accueillante!

On Tuesday afternoon, plenary debated with Council and Commission representatives the deteriorating situation for refugees as a consequence of the Russian invasion. According to the UNHCR, more than one million persons have left the country since 24 February, most of them heading to neighbouring countries. The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to activate the Temporary Protection Directive, to ensure that Ukrainians get protection in the EU, including temporary residence rights and access to education and the labour market.
#WAR #Sanctions #Russia #Ukraine #PutinsWar #refugees
In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, in which Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will participate, MEPs will look into the EU’s role in a changing world and Europe’s security situation in the wake of the Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine. President Metsola and Prime Minister Kallas will give a press conference after the debate.

These exchanges follow the extraordinary plenary session held on Tuesday 1 March, with the remote participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk. Parliament adopted a resolution calling for tougher sanctions against Russia and new efforts to grant Ukraine EU candidate status.

Russian aggression in Ukraine: MEPs praise exceptional solidarity with refugees. As more than two million refugees flee war in Ukraine, mostly towards the EU, member states will have to continue showing solidarity, MEPs said on Tuesday.

In a plenary debate with Brigitte Klinkert, French Minister Delegate for Economic Inclusion, on behalf of the Council, and Commissioner Ylva Johansson, MEPs highlighted the dramatic humanitarian and refugee situation caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. They praised frontline states for their extraordinary engagement so far, but warned that sustained solidarity across the EU will be necessary in the long-term. Speakers unanimously condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Commissioner Ylva Johansson stressed the extraordinary pressure on member states sharing borders with Ukraine: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, as well as Republic of Moldova. The EU rose to the challenge when the Council unanimously activated the temporary protection mechanism, providing solidarity across the EU, by supporting the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Red Cross working on the ground, and via the activation of €500 million in humanitarian aid.

MEPs also welcomed the EU’s swift response, ensuring protection to those fleeing from Ukraine, and called for sufficient financial aid to maintain support in the medium- and long-term. Some speakers wished to see concrete progress on the reform of the EU’s migration and asylum rules, with others stressing that all refugees, regardless of their ethnicity, need the same protection.

Europe stands united, with you. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola addressed the Plenary on the Occasion of the International Women's Day. Welcoming Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko, President Metsola said that the European Parliament will serve as a platform for the strength of Ukrainian brave women to be shown to the world.
Opening the Plenary Session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called on the Russian authorities to free those unjustly jailed. Freedom of expression is a right which we will protect and defend. President Metsola also called on Kremlin to stop intimidating protestors and release immediately all those detained. #