Nine members from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Security and Defence Subcommittee, led by Chairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk as well as other Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations.
During their visit, MEPs emphasised the European Parliament’s unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as well as to its right to choose its own security arrangements and alliances.
The European Parliament’s fact-finding visit (from 30 January to 1 February) demonstrated its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and was part of an extensive and coordinated diplomatic effort to de- escalate tension and avoid the disastrous consequences of a possible armed conflict. Furthermore, the current military build-up and hybrid warfare attacks on Ukraine are regarded as attacks on European security as a whole that amount to a systematic attempt by Russia to create divisions in Europe and amongst Europeans and the United States, MEPs say.
The Parliament considers it essential that the EU remain united in its condemnation of Russian intimidation of Ukraine and in the face of the Kremlin’s attempts to undermine European security and democracy. The European Parliament has a key role to play in both showing the EU’s unity in the face of Russian aggression and in communicating its support for the strongest possible response should Russia take military steps against Ukraine.
Besides Kyiv, the delegation visited Mariupol, a city and strategic port in the southeast of Ukraine on the Sea of Azov, very close to the contact line. Meetings were held with the Mariupol field office of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM), and with the municipal and port authorities.
