The European Parliament has again insisted Russia should be held accountable for all of the costs of the Ukraine war.
As part of a European Parliament-European Council agreement on the continued funding of Ukraine using European funds, the body claimed that efforts to force Russia to pay reparations regarding the conflict must continue.
According to a press release published on February 6, both the Parliament and Council agreed that Russia must be “held fully accountable and pay for the massive damage caused by its war of aggression against Ukraine”.
“The text underscores the importance of working with international allies towards this goal, based inter alia on the obligation to compensate for the financially assessable damage caused,” the statement read.
Parliamentarians want to begin this process by using frozen Russian funds to help fund Ukraine’s “recovery and rebuilding efforts” in the wake of Moscow’s invasion.
Speaking after the agreement, co-rapporteur of the bill Eider Gardiazabal Rubial MEP praised it as helping to further demonstrate EU support for Ukraine.
“This is an important political signal to the citizens of Ukraine,” the Spanish S&D group politician said.
“With this facility, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the country while also sending a strong signal holding Russia accountable for the damage caused by the war against Ukraine.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is to push US politicians to agree on a deal to fund Ukraine during an official visit to the country. https://t.co/rAZZmc9xnQ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 7, 2024
Other elements of the agreement include the provision of an extra €50 billion in EU funding to Ukraine between now and 2027.
The cash injection had previously been held up by the Hungarian Government under Viktor Orbán. That standoff finally ended after Budapest acquiesced to the deal on February 2.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has remained bullish on the deal since then, coming out on February 6 to praise the new concord between the Parliament and Council.
“Europe will be at Ukraine’s side for every single day of the war, and for every single day thereafter,” she said, adding that the arrangement represented a “major step forward”.
“Europe is true to its word. We will continue to deliver much-needed funding and predictability for our brave partner and aspiring member. We aim to make the first payment in March.”
The deal now just needs final official approval from both the Parliament and Council before its implementation can begin.
Attention has now shifted towards the US, with EU leaders hoping a similar agreement aimed at providing an extra $60 billion for Ukraine can be reached between Republicans and Democrats in the country’s House and Senate.
Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed doubts that Crimea, occupied and then annexed by Russia, will ever “return” to Ukraine. https://t.co/5PCE9BYO3m
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 5, 2024
Win or lose, Brussels has fumbled the war in Ukraine