Ukraine’s accession to the EU, sanctions, and Putin’s crimes: what the European Parliament resolution is about

Author

Natalia Myronova

In view of the coming anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Parliament passed a resolution. It calls on the international community to swiftly provide Ukraine with modern battle tanks and give serious consideration to supplying Ukraine with modern fighter jets and missile systems, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

summarized the main points of the European Parliament resolution.

On Ukraine’s accession to the EU

The European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to Ukraine’s membership of the European Union and calls on the European Council to work towards the start of accession negotiations in 2023.

"The EP reiterates its support for the European Council’s decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine; calls on Ukraine, the Commission, and the Council to work towards the start of accession negotiations this year; believes that Ukraine’s membership of the EU represents a geostrategic investment in a united and strong Europe and that it equates to showing leadership, resolve, and vision," the resolution says.

In this context, the EP welcomed the European Council’s decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine.

On holding Putin accountable

The EP stated the need to prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s leadership, as well as the leadership of Belarus, for the crime against Ukraine they committed.

"The EP underlines that President Putin, other Russian leaders, and their Belarusian allies who planned and gave the relevant orders to start this war of aggression against Ukraine must be held accountable for the crime of aggression they have committed," the resolution says.

The European Parliament also reiterated its full support for the work of the International Criminal Court in helping to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes.

On sanctions against Russia and Belarus

The EP calls on the European Council to maintain its sanctions policy against Russia and Belarus, as well as monitor, review, and enhance its effectiveness and impact. The Parliament also calls on the European Commission and the Member States to ensure the swift implementation and strict enforcement of all sanctions, which means adopting the 10th sanctions package by the end of February 2023.

The EP also:

called to substantially broaden the scope of the sanctions. This concerns, in particular, banning the imports of Russian fossil fuels, uranium, and diamonds;
proposed to introduce sanctions against persons and entities, and all persons associated with the so-called Wagner Group and other Russian-funded armed groups, militias and proxies, including those active in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

The European Parliament is concerned about the collaboration of countries like Iran, North Korea, and China with Russia. The EP condemns those countries that are helping Russia avoid the effects of the sanctions imposed and calls for the EU to vigorously prosecute companies, associations, and individuals who participate in the circumvention of sanctions.

On the confiscation of Russian assets

The EP calls on the European Commission to complete the legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian assets frozen by the EU. They should then be used to address the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the reconstruction of the country and compensation for the victims of Russia’s aggression.

On the decision of the International Olympic Committee

The EP condemns the decision of the International Olympic Committee to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in qualifications for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games under a neutral flag.

The European Parliament believes that it runs counter to those countries’ multifaceted isolation and will be used by both regimes for propaganda purposes.

On infrastructure

The European Parliament calls for the EU to support the diplomatic efforts made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has proposed setting up a nuclear safety and security protection zone around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The EP stresses the importance of preserving the integrity of infrastructure and ensuring easy access to nuclear sites for the IAEA mission.

The resolution also calls for the EU to ban Rosatom from ongoing investments in critical infrastructure in the EU and for all its activities in the EU to be stopped.