Mr President, the images of Putin’s callous and inhumane invasion of Ukraine continue to be seen across the world. This unrelenting attack has forced more than two million people to flee for safety as Europe embraces for the largest group of refugees since World War II.
The EU has acted, and will continue to act, in solidarity in dealing with the influx of refugees. In particular, the speed with which EU interior ministers were able to reach consensus on how to help those arriving from Ukraine, after years of discord over EU immigration policy, is to be commended. For the moment, the pressure is on neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, who are responding heroically by welcoming Ukrainians. However, the burden of this influx is too great for any one country, and the burden must be shared.
The devastation and tragedy in Ukraine has been staggering, and the stories of tragedy heartbreaking. However, we also cannot forget that we are still in the midst of other crises, in particular Afghanistan, where women, girls and LGBTI community continue to suffer under the oppressive Taliban regime since its takeover in August 2021. For better or worse, this is a defining moment for the EU, and this may finally be the time that we can agree on a consolidated common asylum framework.
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. #
[ Ссылка ] #eudebates
