An resolution to provide Kiev with "military aid for as long as necessary". The green light has arrived since European Parliament to the text with which the Eurochamber invites the EU Commission "to seriously consider the supply of fighter planes, helicopters, missile systems and an increase in ammunition". The resolution, approved by a very large majority with 444 votes in favour, 26 no and 37 abstentions, also calls for the use of Russian assets frozen by the EU as an extraordinary fund to rebuild Ukraine and compensate war victims, strengthen sanctions against Moscow and its allies and start negotiations on Kiev's accession to the European Union already this year.
Meanwhile, almost exactly one year after the start of the war, Russian raids continue to hit Ukraine, damaging energy infrastructure. Kiev has declared that Russia has launched 32 air and sea cruise missiles on Ukraine, managing to shoot down 16 of them. Meanwhile, Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, has arrived in Kiev.
The resolution: more sanctions and start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine
Parliament calls on Member States to adopt the tenth package of fines against Russia and its allies by the end of the month and to broaden its scope. It also calls on the EU to take urgent measures to block any attempts to circumvent these measures.
Looking to the future, MEPs call for the use of i Russian assets frozen by the EU to rebuild the country and to compensate the victims of the war. Furthermore, they stress that once the war is over, Moscow will have to be forced to pay reparations to help rebuild the invaded country.
MEPs also reiterate their support for the Council's decision – already conferred last summer – to grant Ukraine EU candidate country status, underlining that theaccession to the EU it remains a merit-based process, in compliance with relevant procedures and established criteria.
Israeli Foreign Minister in Kiev: "Impossible to remain indifferent"
It is the first visit by a minister of the Jewish state to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. "It is impossible to remain indifferent to the scenes and mass graves we have seen". The Israeli foreign minister said Eli Cohen after - told Times of Israel - the mayor of the city Anatolii Fedoruk showed him a photographic exhibition on the victims of the city inside a church. “We are here on an important visit of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” he added when asked if he would have condemned the Russians. Then he added that Israel will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. After meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Kuleba, Cohen is expected to see President Volodomyr Zelensky.
