Members of the European Parliament (EP) are calling on NATO allies to honor their commitment and “pave the way” for Kyiv to be invited to join the defense alliance.
On Thursday, the 15th of June, 425 MEPs voted for the resolution, 38 voted against it and 42 abstained.
MEPs emphasize that they expect
“the accession process to begin after the end of the war and to be completed as soon as possible”.
Until Ukraine becomes a full member of NATO, the European Union (EU) and its member states, together with NATO allies and like-minded partners, should work closely with Ukraine to develop a framework for security guarantees that should be implemented immediately after the war.
The EP emphasizes that Ukraine’s integration into both NATO and the EU would promote regional and global security and strengthen the connection between Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic community.
MEPs condemn the destruction of the Kahovka dam on the 6th of June, which caused widespread flooding, environmental disaster, and ecocide in Ukraine, and call it a war crime.
All those responsible for such war crimes, including the destruction of the dam, will be held accountability under international law,
the MPs add.
The EP also calls for the development of a comprehensive set of EU recovery measures for Ukraine.
MEPs are looking forward to the European Commission’s (EC) proposal to revise the current Multiannual Financial Framework and establish the Ukraine Reconstruction Facility, which will finance Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts in the coming years.
It is important to connect the reconstruction of Ukraine with its preparation to join the EU and the ongoing internal reforms while emphasizing that the restoration of the damaged infrastructure and industrial capacity should take place in accordance with the principle of “renew by improving” and the European Green Course.
This would help
turn Ukraine into a carbon-free and digital country and a modern market economy.
Finally, the EP reiterates its support for last year’s decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country.
MEPs hope that the EC will make a positive recommendation after Ukraine has successfully implemented the seven measures outlined in the Commission’s opinion.
They call for a clear action plan for the start of accession negotiations, which, if there is sufficient support from the EU and the member states, could start already this year.