Priopćenja

Statement on Russia's coordinated large-scale aerial and missile attacks

Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Witold Jan Waszczykowski

on Russia's coordinated large-scale aerial and missile attacks


Brussels, 3 January 2024: Russia's large-scale barbaric aerial and missile attacks over the past days have been the heaviest since the start of its unprovoked and unjustified aggression and full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with those injured and all the families and friends whose loved ones paid the highest price for these attacks and Russian aggression. I also pay tribute to the rescue efforts and to Ukraine's brave, resourceful and resilient people.

These combined mass missile attacks on Ukraine, senselessly striking numerous residential buildings and civilian targets demonstrate Russia's total disregard for human life and international rules. If their goal is to break the spirit of Ukrainians and deter international support, they will fail. These savage attacks also confirm that the best way to save lives is continuing all possible support to Ukraine and all its legitimate efforts to defend itself, fully in line with international law.

The EU, its Member States and international partners should continue backing Ukraine and step up the deliveries of air defence systems and ammunitions, as well as drone and intelligence capabilities and continue Russia's diplomatic isolation in international fora. 2024 should be a decisive year. The EU and its partners should approve their planned financial support packages and continue tightening and enforcing sanctions. The key decision on using Russian frozen assets to help Ukraine should also be taken, as called for repeatedly by the European Parliament and the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee.

Joint Statement ahead of the European Council of 14-15 December 2023 and on continued support to Ukraine

Joint Statement by the Bureau of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine and the Co-President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

Brussels/ Kyiv, 13 December 2023

Members of the EU-Ukraine PAC Bureau, joined by the EP's standing rapporteur on Ukraine and the Co-President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, issue the following joint statement with regard to continued EU support in the context of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the upcoming decisions of the European Council of 14-15 December 2023:

We remind of the Grenada declaration according to which EU enlargement is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity and therefore we call on Member States and all stakeholders to respect and build on earlier unanimous decisions of the European Council with regard to the agreed framework of the EU's engagement with Ukraine, based on Ukraine's confirmed EU candidate status and path towards starting EU accession negotiations.

We reaffirm our full and unequivocal commitment to the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU. In this regard we welcome the Communication from the Commission of 8 November 2023 on the EU Enlargement Policy and in particular its recommendation to the Council to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.

We commend the considerable efforts that Ukraine demonstrated towards meeting the objectives underpinning its candidate status for the EU membership since June 2022 and welcome the progress achieved in the process of adoption and consistent implementation of the reforms.

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We urge the European Council of 14-15 December 2023 to deploy all necessary efforts to reach political agreement on enlargement, in particular on the possible opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. We call upon the European Commission to start swiftly the preparations for the opening of the negotiations with Ukraine, in particular the negotiating framework as well as the analytical examination of the acquis (screening).

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We urge the EU to ensure that funding for Ukraine will continue after January 2024 by reaching political agreement on the Ukraine Facility as soon as possible, or by adopting a targeted transitional MFA programme for the early months of 2024, until the Ukraine Facility is operational.

For the full text of the Joint Statement, see the link to the PDF file below.

Statement on the 10th anniversary of the Euromaidan protests

Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Witold Jan Waszczykowski

on the 10th anniversary of the Euromaidan protests

Brussels, 21 November 2023: Ten years ago, the message of Ukrainian society was loud and clear: Ukrainians demanded to be in charge of their own fate and of their chosen future as an equal, proud and democratic member of the European family. Human dignity and our shared values has been at the centre of this powerful message.

No one can take this away from the Ukrainian people. Yet, there has been a forceful attempt to turn this aspiration and dream into a nightmare, through malign interference, disinformation, destabilisation and the illegal annexation of Crimea, and as of February 2022, through an unprovoked and unjustified armed aggression and full-scale invasion.

The Ukrainian people have remained faithful to the legacy of the revolution of dignity and demonstrated their unbroken spirit, resilience, courage and creativity in overcoming aggression and fighting for their freedom and dignity.

We understand what is at stake and we are fully aware of your continued sacrifice. We need to take inspiration from your determination and resolve. We will remain your partner in standing up to Russian aggression and supporting your efforts to preserve an independent and democratic Ukraine, with a vibrant civil society and resilient institutions.

There is no credible alternative to supporting Ukraine: not only for as long as it takes but with whatever it takes to achieve your dream and to protect Ukrainian dignity. By keeping up financial, military and political support, by achieving accountability and justice and by firmly locking in Ukraine's EU accession path.

The European dream is alive today in Ukraine. As EU accession negotiations are now within reach, we will remain fully committed and work closely with Ukraine to make this dream come true in a merit-based process. No one has earned it more than Ukraine.

Joint Statement on the latest developments related to and caused by the unprovoked and unjustified war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine

Joint Statement by the Bureau of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee and the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine

on the latest developments related to and caused by the unprovoked and unjustified war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine

Brussels/ Kyiv, 19 August 2022: "Following on from the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC) statements of March, April and June 2022, as well as the PAC final statement and recommendations of 8-9 June 2022 and numerous statements by EU leaders;

Staying fully committed to Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, non-recognition of the occupation of Ukraine's territories starting from 2014 including Crimea, supporting Ukraine's inalienable right to preserve, restore and defend its territorial integrity including the right to adequately respond to every manifestation of terror;

We, the members of the EU-Ukraine PAC Bureau, issued the following joint statement with regard to recent developments related to and caused by the unprovoked and unjustified war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine:

Situation in Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Russia's nuclear blackmail

We strongly condemn the actions of the Russian occupying forces on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP in the city of Energodar as well as the unprecedented usage of the facilities for launching attacks against Ukrainian forces or for any other military purposes, including as shelter or storage, which not only prevent the safe operation of the plant and its regular control procedures, but also puts in a grave danger the nuclear safety of the European continent and beyond.

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Attempts to legalize the occupation of Ukraine's territories

We condemn preparation and holding of any fake referenda in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

We are confident that such acts aimed to legalize occupation, justify further annexation of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions violate both international principles and norms as well as provisions of Ukraine's constitution and applicable legislation.

We declare that any attempts to hold so-called "referenda" in these territories would be considered illegal, null and void by the international community and Ukraine.

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Continuous violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation

We severely condemn the cynical terrorist act Russia committed on 29 July by killing >50 Ukrainian prisoners of war by explosion on the territory of the former penal colony of the village of Olenivka.

We demand from the UN and the ICRC, which act as guarantors of the life and health of Ukrainian POWs, to immediately respond to this terrorist act committed by Russia and send its representatives to the village of Olenivka with the inspection missions.

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Further restrictive measures including tourist visa ban

We call to impose sanctions, including a ban on entry, arrest and seizure of property and assets of public figures that promote public opinion in Russia in support of Russian aggression against Ukraine, including leading and technical staff of public and private media that spread aggressive propaganda: so-called political experts, influencers, bloggers, artists and musicians, who publicly support the criminal actions of the Russian government and contribute to the large-scale involvement of the Russian population in the commission of war crimes.

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Statement on the decision of the European Council of 23 June 2022 on granting EU candidate status to Ukraine

Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Witold Jan Waszczykowski

on the decision of the European Council of 23 June 2022 on granting EU candidate status to Ukraine

Brussels, 23 June 2022: "I welcome today's historic decision of granting official EU candidate status to Ukraine by the European Council. This powerful political signal puts Ukraine firmly and irreversibly on its chosen path towards EU membership.

The EP and its Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee stands ready to continue our intense engagement and dialogue with the Verkhovna Rada at all levels. Ukraine deserves all the political and financial support it can get to pursue and complete credible and meaningful reforms, as well as to benefit from further economic integration and legislative harmonisation with the EU. In this context I also recall the need to mobilise further resources in order to ensure the immediate needs of Ukraine for financial relief and to underpin the resilience of its institutions and a long-term stabilisation and reconstruction agenda.

I call on the EU and its Member States to preserve their unity and determination, and to work tirelessly, together with other international partners, to mobilise further swift and adequate military support to contain and stop the ongoing Russian military aggression.

Today, Ukraine received a message of hope earned through the merit of human courage, determination and sacrifice, as well as gradual implementation of an ambitious association agenda with the EU. We must continue working together to fulfil the EU's commitment to build a common European future with the people of Ukraine who are paying an enormous sacrifice in defence of their homeland and our shared values and aspirations."

Statement of 17 June 2022 on the European Commission’s opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership of the EU

Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Witold Jan Waszczykowski

on the European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the EU

Brussels, 17 June 2022: "I welcome the European Commission's official opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the EU that recommends to the Council that Ukraine should be given the perspective to become a member of the EU and be granted candidate status, while setting out further steps that the country needs to take.

I pay tribute to the Ukrainian authorities for having responded to the EU questionnaire expeditiously but thoroughly and to the Commission for having undertaken a detailed analysis that may pave the way for granting official candidate status by the European Council.

The European Parliament was a front-runner advocating for the grating of candidate status to Ukraine, in line with Article 49 of the Treaty, and on the basis of merit - this remains our clear expectation of the European Council. Ukraine is committed to the ambitious and challenging journey of EU accession and its people have demonstrated exceptional and exemplary courage, resilience, unity and perseverance.

The Commission opinion published today is an important political signal for the Ukrainian authorities, as well as all EU Member States. The European Commission's merit-based recommendations will provide for even further drive and impetus for the Ukrainian authorities to undertake the necessary reforms to fulfil the formal conditions of the accession negotiation framework, even under the duress and exceptional circumstances of the ongoing Russian aggression.

Ukrainians are ready to die for their European perspective as their strategic and civilisational choice. Today's recommendation should give all Ukrainians the hope to live together with us in peace, freedom, democracy and prosperity, as a clear alternative to the senseless loss of human life, tyranny, destruction, economic decline and serfdom on offer by the Russian Federation."


Joint Statement and Recommendations by the members of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, 9 June 2022

[For the full text of the Joint Statement, see the link to the PDF file below.]

Strasbourg/ Kyiv, 9 June 2022: The fourteenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC) was held in Strasbourg on 8-9 June 2022, co-chaired by Vadym Halaichuk on behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Witold Waszczykowski on behalf of the European Parliament.

The Parliamentary Association Committee, having held extensive exchanges about the consequences of and joint responses to Russian aggression, recent developments in Ukraine and EU-Ukraine relations, agreed upon the following final statement and recommendations.

The Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC):

Russian aggression against Ukraine

1. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation's unprovoked, unjustified, senseless and cruel military aggression against Ukraine and demands that the Russian Federation immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all military and paramilitary forces and military equipment, including those of its proxies, from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine and its territorial waters, and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders;

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Human rights, international humanitarian law

5. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, including murders and mass deportations of civilians - men, women and children, the use of rape as an instrument of war and the destruction of civilian infrastructure such as schools, places of worship, cultural monuments, residential buildings and hospitals, committed by the Russian military in Ukraine;

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Continued delivery of weapons

15. Underlines that immediate deliveries of weapons, including heavy weaponry, is essential for Ukraine's continued resistance against Russia's brutal aggression, which bears an insurmountable cost of nearly 10 billion euros to Ukrainian military per month, as well as the recovery of Ukraine's territories within its internationally recognized borders and - finally - putting an end to the ongoing war and human suffering inflicted by Russia and its troops;

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Parliamentary follow-up to Ukraine's official EU accession request

22. Welcomes Ukraine's official request for EU membership and stresses that official candidate status would be a strong political signal that firmly and irreversibly consolidates Ukraine's European path and commitment; such a signal would also strengthen the morale of the Ukrainian nation in its fight against Russia's unjustified and genocidal war of aggression;

23. Underlines that the Versailles Declaration acknowledges the European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine; reiterates the European Parliament's call for the EU institutions to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine, in line with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union and on the basis of merit;

24. Expects the European Commission to conclude its assessment and publish its official Opinion swiftly, paving the way for the subsequent decision of the European Council regarding the granting of official candidate status;

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Relief and reconstruction

25. Calls on the EU and its Member States to continue providing the strongest possible economic and financial support to Ukraine, as well as macro-financial and technical assistance, to recalibrate and regroup EU budget instruments available or to establish new ones to support Ukraine, and to devise a long-term strategy to support Ukraine's efforts in strengthening the resilience of its democratic institutions and economy;

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Interparliamentary cooperation

42. Commends the continued session and work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine under the conditions of Martial Law since 24 February 2022; reminds of the mutual visits of the President of the European Parliament and the Speaker of the VRU as a clear commitment and dedication to reinforcing political cooperation; recalls that the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee has continued its work and remains determined to hold regular discussions on EU-Ukraine relations and to ensure parliamentary follow-up to Ukraine's request for EU accession;

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Joint Statement by the members of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, 24 March 2022

[For the full text of the Joint Statement, see the link to the PDF file below.]

Brussels/ Kyiv, 24 March 2022: The 13th, extraordinary meeting of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC) was held on 24 March 2022 in Brussels and Kyiv and was co-chaired by Vadym Halaichuk on behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and by Witold Waszczykowski on behalf of the European Parliament. The EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee remains determined to continue its activities and to hold regular discussions on EU-Ukraine relations, on the parliamentary follow-up to Ukraine's official application for EU membership and on EU support to Ukraine in the context of the ongoing Russian war of aggression.

Members of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee adopted the following statement:

We, Members of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, condemn in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation's unprovoked and unjustified, senseless and cruel military aggression against Ukraine. This full-scale military invasion is not only a gross violation of international law and an attack on the principles and mechanism of cooperation and security in Europe and the rules-based international order, but also a violation of the basic principles of human coexistence and civilisation.

We commend the Ukrainian people's heroic struggle and united effort against the Russian military assault, in the defence not only of their country but also of our common European values of peace, parliamentary democracy, pluralism and basic freedoms.

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We commend the extraordinary solidarity and support provided for the Ukrainian refugees in Moldova and in EU Member States, particularly in neighbouring Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, as well as the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive and the financial resources mobilised for their support by the EU, Member States, local authorities, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens. We draw the attention to the plight of the growing number of internally displaced persons inside Ukraine who are fleeing destroyed homes and cities, residential areas under shelling and who may lack basic human needs for shelter, food, health care and sanitation.

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The Parliamentary Association Committee welcomes Ukraine's official request for EU membership. We reiterate the European Parliament's call for the EU institutions to work towards granting EU candidate status to Ukraine, in line with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union and on the basis of merit. Therefore we expect the European Commission to carry out its assessment swiftly, enabling the subsequent granting of official candidate status.

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We call for the EU and its Member States to continue providing the strongest possible economic and financial support to Ukraine, as well as macro-financial and technical assistance, to recalibrate and regroup EU budget instruments available to support Ukraine, and to devise a long-term strategy to support Ukraine's efforts in strengthening the resilience of its democratic institutions and economy.

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Stand with Ukraine global call to parliaments around the world, 15 March 2022

Statement by the European Parliament's Conference of Delegation Chairs (CDC)

Brussels, 15 March 2022: "Supporting the call made by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to EP President Metsola, European Parliament Delegation Chairs share the EP resolution of 1 March 2022 with their counterparts around the world, and appeal to them to support parliamentary democracy in Ukraine.

"We will use the EP's widespread parliamentary diplomacy network for a global outreach to all our parliamentary partners to talk to them, explain our position and that of the EU in support of Ukraine and engage together in all actions that can build common ground around the Verkhovna Rada", said Inma Rodríguez-Piñero Chair of the European Parliament's Conference of Delegation Chairs.

Delegation Chairs are reaching out to more than 160 partners to propose concerted action and messages to condemn Russia's aggression and isolate Russia further in international parliamentary fora.

The European Parliament is at the core of European parliamentary democracy and, through its standing Delegations, has developed overtime a vast network of relations with partner parliaments all around the world. Through this global action of parliamentary diplomacy, Delegations actively engage in political dialogue with their counterparts and make the European Parliament's voice heard in every corner of the world."

Statement of 22 February 2022 on the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities

Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Witold Jan Waszczykowski

on the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities


Brussels, 22 February 2022 - "On February 21, during his bizarre address, Vladimir Putin announced Russia's recognition of the so-called people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. Shortly after, Russian tanks entered the Eastern region of Ukraine commonly known as the Donbas. The region had long been controlled by Moscow and its proxies. Since 2014, over 700 thousand Russian passports have been distributed among a portion of the Donbas' population in preparation for - what is clear today - further aggression.

The most recent escalation has been in the works for weeks, if not months. During this time, many Western leaders made it clear that actions such as this one would be followed by severe sanctions. Taking over sovereign territory of a neighboring state, with the use of extensive military force, is not a "small incursion." Rather, it is a disregard of the international law, the rules-based international order and Russia's very own international obligations, including those enshrined in the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Minsk Agreements and the Budapest Memorandum of 1994.

In the face of Putin's continued aggression and his insatiable imperialist and revanchist appetite, the time for the most severe sanctions the free world can impose on his regime has come. The autocrat ignored numerous attempts of mediation, biding his time, building up his military strength and inspiring divisions within the EU and NATO. Our appeals for peace, our constant declarations of unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity will be nothing more but empty words if not followed by decisive actions. [...]"