European Parliament Political Group Leaders on Security & Defence

In light of the new geopolitical reality, its uncertainty, and the growing threats, it is high time for Europe to step up its own security. Europe can no longer fully rely on the United States to defend our shared values and interests, including continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We must face this new reality and double down on our joint European effort in defence of Ukraine and European security as a whole by establishing a credible and strong deterrence against any aggression towards the EU and its partners. Together, we must ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible military position when peace negotiations begin. Ukraine's security is Europe’s security. The European Union and its Member States have no choice but to take immediate action, with NATO and likeminded non-EU allies, to invest in a more efficient and integrated European security and defence architecture. Our Groups recognise the sense of urgency and the need to act swiftly to secure the necessary funding for our defence policy, particularly to strengthen our defence industrial base with a swift adoption of a robust and effective EDIP. We also continue to call for the establishment of a legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian-owned assets frozen by the EU.

We continue to stand with the people of Ukraine, and support its full independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The ultimate goal remains to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the Ukrainian peace formula (and victory plan), ensuring the safety, dignity and prosperity of its people within a peaceful and stable Europe. There can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine and the European Union at the table. There can be no negotiation about European security without the European Union.