MEPs have warned against easing sanctions against Russia and against easing efforts to support Ukraine.
The demand comes on the eve of crucial talks between the U.S and Russia aimed at ending the bitter conflict.
A row has flared over the apparent reluctance to invite Ukraine to the talks, set to take place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
In an effort to ensure it is not excluded from any peace deal, the EU has convened an emergency summit meeting in Paris on Monday (17 February).
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the EU Parliament, meanwhile, is among those seeking reassurances that Ukraine will not be sidelined in the talks.
“We must stand by Ukraine—not only now, but in the long reconstruction process ahead,” said ECR foreign affairs coordinator Adam Bielan.
The MEP added, “Let us not forget the tremendous costs Ukraine has been paying for standing against Russia for Europe’s security: Bucha’s horrors, far over 10,000 civilian deaths, the tremendous military losses, 10 million refugees, and Ukraine’s shattered infrastructure.
“These wounds will scar generations”.
According to the senior MEP, “the outcome of the war must be determined by Ukraine, with unwavering European support.”
Bielan has also criticised the EU’s latest sanctions package for “failing” to impose a full ban on the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), branding this “unacceptable.”
“It is a glaring failure that, three years into Russia’s war of aggression, loopholes still allow European money to flow to the Kremlin. But what is even more indefensible is that the EU is now buying record amounts of Russian LNG. This must stop. We must push to turn off this gas tap once and for all”, he said.
Bielan also highlighted Poland’s key role in supporting Ukraine.
He says, “Under former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s leadership, Poland was one of the first to send tanks, fighter jets, and ammunition.
“And let us not forget the historic visit of March 2022, when Mr Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, along with Czech and Slovenian leaders, became the first foreign leaders to stand with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Their message was clear then and it is clear now: Ukraine is not alone”, he said.
Elsewhere, EU council President Antonio Costa and EU commission President Ursula von der Leyen have pledged “continued and stable support to Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached.”
A joint statement underlined that “only such a peace would lead to a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine and guarantee Ukraine’s and Europe’s security.”
They expressed the willingness to put Ukraine in a position of strength ahead of any future negotiations and that Ukraine is provided with strong security guarantees.
They stressed the need for Europeans to increase their defence spending and strengthen their defence capabilities and help reinforce the Ukrainian armed forces.
Costa and von der Leyen stressed their willingness to step up the work to accelerate the accession process of Ukraine to the European Union.
