MEPs in Kyiv call for the immediate lifting of restrictions on use of weapons delivered to Ukraine

A delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence visited Kyiv for the first time since the recent European elections.

The eight-member delegation travelled to Kyiv on 25 and 26 October, led by Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN (Renew Europe, DE), Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). They met with high-level representatives of the Ukrainian government, members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, as well as civil society, veterans and the defence industry. During their first visit to Kyiv since the recent European elections, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence members expressed a strong message of solidarity and unwavering support to Ukraine and its citizens in the face of Russia’s unjust and illegal war of aggression. MEPs heard strong messages of gratitude for all the support already provided to Ukraine by the EU, including the 50 billion Ukraine facility and the recently approved loan of up to 35 billion euros, the latter to be repaid with the future profits from frozen Russian assets.

Preparations of the 2nd Summit of the Peace Formula

MEPs participated in a Conference on point 6 of the Peace Formula dedicated to the “Withdrawal of Russian Troops and Cessation of Hostilities”, Chaired by Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defence and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The European Parliament condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and demands that Russia immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its forces and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, said MEPs. They underlined the need to remove the current restrictions on the use of all weapons provided to Ukraine, specifically against legitimate military targets inside Russia, in order for Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defence under international law.

Meeting veterans and representatives of defence industry

MEPs also met Ukraine’s veterans and discussed the challenges they face to reintegrate into civilian life and what more can be done to support them. They were also briefed by Ihor Bezkaravainyi, the Deputy Minister for the Economy, noting the support of the EU in making progress in the face of the enormous scale and impact of humanitarian demining. Finally, Herman Smetanin, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine gave MEPs a tour of an innovative defence industrial facility, specialising in the production of drones. During the visit, MEPs could see first-hand the technological innovation and production capacity of Ukraine. As strengthening European defence and plugging key capability shortfalls is a priority for both Ukraine and the EU, investment in Ukraine’s defence sector is clearly a cost-effective means to meeting both Ukrainian and European needs. The visit provides useful background for SEDE’s upcoming work in relation to the proposed regulation for a European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).

Finally, MEPs visited the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM) that has considerably adapted its mandate following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. EUAM represents a new generation of CSDP missions, adapting to a rapidly changing security environment and providing reinforced support across a range of areas from deep, lasting and irreversible security sector reform, rule of law, democratic standards, as well as the overall alignment of National Security with standards and democratic values necessary for the EU accession processes. In the difficult context, MEPs assessed the strategic necessity and importance of EUAM’s mandate, in particular when working closely with other EU instruments.

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Following meetings, Dr Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN, the Chair of the SEDE stated: “We came to Kyiv as the first priority of SEDE after the recent European elections. We have listened carefully to our Ukrainian friends and we now have a responsibility to follow-up on this visit and ensure our solidarity is accompanied by more support for Ukraine. This means that in addition to the up to 50 billion “Ukraine Facility” and new loan of up to 35 billion euros, both approved by the European Parliament, we will continue to press for full economic, humanitarian as well as the delivery of the weapons systems Ukraine needs to defend itself from Russian war crimes that include attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Furthermore, the provocation caused by the deployment of North Korean soldiers must be answered thoughtfully, but with strength. We all want peace - but this will only be possible if Ukraine can act from a position of strength.”

Apart from Dr STRACK-ZIMMERMANN, the delegation was composed of MEPs Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE (EPP, SP), Christophe GOMART (EPP, FR), Pekka TOVERI (EPP, FL) Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, Lucia ANNUNZIATA (S&D, IT), Pierre-Romain THIONNET (PfE, FR), Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (RENEW, LT) and Mārtiņš STAĶIS (Greens/ALE, LV).