The European Parliament today held a plenary debate, in the presence of the Estonian prime minister, Kaja Kallas, on Europe’s security situation following the Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine. During the debate, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats expressed her full support for Ukraine, but also for Estonia and all the EU countries bordering with Russia and with Ukraine, insisting on the unity of all Europeans at this difficult time.

Iratxe García said:

“It is urgent that the United Nations organise humanitarian corridors that allow the supply of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of the most vulnerable people. At the same time, the International Criminal Court must move forward relentlessly in investigating Putin as a war criminal.

“The solution to Putin's cowardly aggression cannot and should not be the surrender of Ukraine or the amputation of its territory. Any concession to the Kremlin will only serve to strengthen its autocratic imperialist project. Let us speak loud and clear to Putin: every democratic European state has the right to be part of the European Union, including Ukraine.

“We must never again sacrifice human rights for Russian gas. It is intolerable that for decades we have financed autocracies that aspire to destroy democratic values. The creation of strategic gas reserves, joint gas purchases and more interconnectivity are an urgent strategic imperative. A tax on electricity companies not investing in renewable energy is also urgently needed.

“Europe has been forged in crises and I welcome that now asylum policy moves us away from the shameful closing of borders to Syrians in 2015. The activation of the Directive on Temporary Protection obliges member states to provide accommodation, education, health and work for refugees. Now we must agree on a solidarity distribution system and establish a reception structure. This should be an opportunity to build a new migration policy based on responsibility and solidarity.”