On Wednesday, MEPs and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell will debate recent diplomatic attempts to ease tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine.
The debate comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity aimed at easing the threat of war in eastern Ukraine.
In addition to the debate on Russia’s military threat to Ukraine, MEPs will discuss Parliament’s annual reports on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defense Policy on Tuesday afternoon. MEPs will present their proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global actor in foreign and security policy. Voting on these reports will take place on Wednesday and the results of the votes will be announced on Thursday.
In a separate emergency vote on Monday, the European Parliament will decide on a €1.2 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine meet its external financing needs in 2022. According to the proposal submitted by the Commission, the loan serves as “rapid support in an acute crisis and to strengthen the country’s resilience.”
In late January and early February, a delegation of nine MEPs, including the chairs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense, travelled to Ukraine. During the visit, they expressed their unwavering support for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and for Ukraine’s right to choose its security arrangements and alliances.