Russian attack on Ukraine: The European Union must meet Putin’s challenge

Reacting to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Ska Keller, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:

"The Greens/EFA strongly condemn the Russian attack and stand firmly by Ukraine. The attack needs to end immediately and Russian troops be withdrawn. The massive breaches of international law by the Russian President mark a caesura for European security order. The European Union, the United States and their partners reacted quickly, consistently and in a coordinated manner to the recognition of the so-called People's Republics in eastern Ukraine. It was also right for the German government to put the Nord Stream 2 gas project on hold. Putin’s further attempt to bring down Europe's peace architecture again needs a joint and coordinated response. Given his continued escalation, sanctions must also be stepped up and implemented quickly."

Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:
"The aggression of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia constitutes a direct challenge to the foundations on which the European Union was built after World War II, namely to leave behind a world where might is right and embrace a rules-based international order where peace is rooted in cooperation, negotiation and compromise. In close cooperation with its partners, the EU now needs to adopt sanctions that will ensure Putin and his entourage feel the price of aggression. In parallel, it needs to strengthen its financial, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and be prepared to give a safe haven to people fleeing the invasion. All the above will test the resolve, unity and solidarity of the European Union. Collectively, we are convinced we have the means and the will to meet the challenge."

More:
Today, at an extraordinary European Council meeting starting at 8 pm, EU leaders will discuss the way forward. Members of the European Parliament will debate the Russian attack on Ukraine in an extraordinary plenary session on Tuesday 1 March from 1pm.