The European Parliament’s defense and security committee on Monday, Feb. 9, called for an urgent increase in military support for Ukraine.
After visiting Kyiv on Feb. 5–6, the delegation said it saw no signs of a ceasefire despite ongoing talks.
“While we welcome progress in peace negotiations, in Kyiv we witnessed Russia continuing to strike civilian infrastructure with missiles, killing civilians and leaving thousands to freeze without heat and electricity in subzero temperatures. We cannot simply ‘hope’ for peace — we must act now and give Ukraine the means to secure peace by force,” said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament’s defense and security committee.
The lawmakers traveled to Kyiv ahead of a plenary vote on a 90 billion euro European Union loan for Ukraine, set for Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The delegation met with representatives of the Ukrainian president’s office and government, leaders of the Verkhovna Rada, and members of civil society and the defense industry. “EU citizens are calling to support Ukraine and strengthen European defense,” Strack-Zimmermann said, citing a European Parliament press release.
The press release highlights Ukraine’s interest in taking part in EU defense initiatives such as the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and the Security for Europe (SAFE) instrument.
Lawmakers said the European Parliament stands ready to use its legislative and budgetary powers to reinforce Europe’s defense capabilities and integrate Ukraine’s defense industry into the EU’s security architecture.
