The Resolution of the European Parliament recommended the European Union to give Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the EU. MEPs also expressed their position on weapons for Ukraine and the UN Special Tribunal.
438 MEPs voted for the resolution: 65 – opposed, 94 – abstained.
The European Parliament recommended the EU Council to agree that “the Versailles Declaration recognizes Ukraine’s European aspirations and its application for EU membership, as well as to give it the status of a candidate for the EU as a clear political signal of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.” DW clarifies that it is about the declaration of the EU informal summit in Versailles, which, however, was very cautious in formulations and recognized only the European aspirations of Ukraine and added that the country belongs to the European family.
The publication also reminded that earlier the European Parliament only urged the EU to “work towards giving Ukraine the status of a candidate.”
The current resolution also mentions “the European aspirations of Moldova and Georgia.” These countries are known to have submitted their applications after Ukraine. However, the recommendations to give them the status of candidate does not contain a resolution.
In addition, the European Parliament recommended “without delay to provide weapons in accordance with the needs expressed by the Ukrainian authorities, in particular using the European Peace Support Instrument and Coordination Center, as well as bilateral agreements between the EU and Ukraine.” According to this instrument, the European Union has already allocated 2 billion euros for the purchase of weapons for Kyiv.
The resolution also called for confirmation that “Ukraine, like any other country, has the sovereign right to make decisions on its political alliances and economic integration without the intervention of other countries.” MEPs recommended supporting the “investigation of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, including a call to the UN special tribunal.”
According to the European Parliament, the EU should impose secondary sanctions against organizations and third countries that help Russia bypass sanctions. The resolution calls for a detailed study of the impact of restrictive measures on Russia.