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EU Parliament urges EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs, including Taurus

European Parliament resolution calls for unlimited military support to Ukraine to defeat Russia, including advanced weapons and a minimum of 0.25% GDP annually from allies.

byYuri Zoria

29/02/2024

3 minute read

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The EU and Ukraine flags in front of the Building of the European Parliament. Photo: europarl.europa.eu

EU Parliament urges EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs, including Taurus

In its 29 February resolution, the European Parliament calls on the EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs to defeat Russia, including the German Taurus missile, urging no restrictions on EU military aid to Ukraine, calls an allies to support Ukraine with at least 0.25% of their GDP annually, and demands the US House to adopt its stalled military aid promptly.

In the resolution, adopted with 451 votes in favor, 46 against, and 49 abstentions, MEPs reflect on the two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that started on 24 February 2022. They emphasize that the war has significantly altered the geopolitical landscape in Europe and beyond, asserting that Ukraine's victory is the primary goal, with serious repercussions if it fails. MEPs also note that other authoritarian regimes are closely observing the situation to gauge their own opportunities for aggressive foreign policies. For Ukraine to win, there should be “no self-imposed restriction on military assistance to Ukraine,” with Parliament reaffirming the need to provide Ukraine with whatever is necessary to regain full control over its internationally recognized territory.

European Paliament urges to supply ammo, missiles, and air defense systems

MEPs note significant disparities in military support from EU member states to Ukraine and urge for investments in the European defense industrial base. This is crucial to address Ukrainian needs and replenish the EU's depleted stocks. MEPs highlight the importance of providing Ukraine with advanced air-defense systems, long-range missiles like TAURUS that Germany is still reluctant to supply, and Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP that Ukraine already uses in limited numbers, artillery and ammunition, especially 155 mm howitzer shells, and drones and counter-drone weapons.

MEPs assert that all EU and NATO allies should annually support Ukraine militarily with at least 0.25% of their GDP. They also urge EU countries to immediately engage with defense companies to boost production and delivery of ammunition, shells, and missiles to Ukraine, prioritizing these over orders from other third countries. Additionally, they call on the US House of Representatives to promptly adopt its long-delayed military assistance package for Ukraine.

Russia, Belarus should be sanctioned more, Russian assets must be confiscated

The resolution stresses the need for a legal framework to confiscate the Russian assets frozen by the EU for Ukraine's reconstruction and victim compensation, and insists on Russia paying reparations for its substantial contribution to rebuilding Ukraine. MEPs urge the EU to continue and expand sanctions against Moscow and its ally Belarus, including banning Russian uranium and metallurgical imports, ending nuclear cooperation with Russia, and imposing a full embargo on EU imports of Russian agricultural and fishery products, fossil fuels, and liquefied natural gas transported by sea or pipelines. Parliament condemns those aiding Moscow in circumventing EU sanctions, advocating for the criminalization of such practices at the EU level.

EU ministers to discuss more aid for Ukraine

European defense and foreign ministers will convene in Paris soon to discuss additional support for Ukraine and Moldova, a French foreign ministry spokesperson has announced, according to Sky News. The meeting will focus on concrete measures for Ukraine and strategies to protect countries, especially Moldova, from Russian destabilization efforts.