On reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia

B100192/2024

European Parliament resolution on reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia

(2024/2940(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine and the Russian Federation (Russia) since 1 March 2022,

– having regard to the UN Charter, the Hague Conventions, the Geneva Conventions and the additional protocols thereto, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,

– having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006) of 14 October 2006,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Russia has been carrying out an illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine since 24 February 2022, in a continuation of its aggression since 2014, including the illegal annexation of Crimea and the occupation of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, persistently violating the principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, as established by the Geneva Conventions of 1949;

B. whereas the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), signed on 18 June 2024, mandates mutual military assistance, including nuclear and conventional support, in the event of armed aggression, thereby deepening military ties between the two nations; whereas this development combines significant security challenges in both Asia and Europe, further complicating global stability;

C. whereas North Korea has directly escalated the conflict in Ukraine with the deployment of troops alongside Russian forces, marking a dangerous expansion of the war, with severe implications for regional and global security; whereas North Korea’s arms transfers to Russia, including the provision of munitions and military equipment, constitute a clear violation of UN Security Council sanctions aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons from North Korea;

D. whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that 11 000 North Korean soldiers have already been deployed near Ukraine’s borders, with this contingent potentially increasing to 100 000;

E. whereas US President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use the US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, in response to the deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces in the conflict against Ukraine; whereas France and the United Kingdom have provided Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles to Ukraine, with both countries indicating a willingness to allow their use against Russian targets; whereas Germany continues to block the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine;

F. whereas Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree officially amending Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which now allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a ‘massive launch’ of airstrikes against Russia or if attacked by a non-nuclear country backed by a nuclear-armed power;

G. whereas Russia attacked the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on 21 November with an intermediate-range ballistic missile (ICBM) that is capable of carrying nuclear warheads;

H. whereas Russia has escalated its air attacks against Ukraine, deploying significant numbers of missiles and drones to target electricity generation and transmission infrastructure nationwide, leading to power disruptions and necessitating nationwide rationing measures announced by Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s primary electricity provider, to stabilise the energy system; whereas targeted attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure constitute a violation of international humanitarian law according to the UN;

I. whereas the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, especially near the front lines, has become increasingly critical; whereas, according to the UN, recent Russian attacks on critical civilian infrastructure have left tens of thousands of Ukrainians without essential services;

1. Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine and demands that Russia immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine and compensate Ukraine for the damage caused to its people, land, nature and infrastructure;

2. Reiterates its support for the commitments of the EU and its Member States to provide humanitarian assistance, military support, economic and financial aid and political support in every possible way until Ukraine’s victory in order to ultimately stop Russia’s war of aggression and allow Ukraine to liberate all its people and re-establish full control within its internationally recognised borders;

3. Calls for the EU and its Member States to actively work towards maintaining and achieving the broadest possible international support for Ukraine and identifying a peaceful solution to the war that is just, long-lasting and favourable to Ukraine, which must be based on full respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the principles of international law, accountability for war crimes and the crime of aggression committed by Russia, and Russian reparations and other payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine; calls for active EU engagement in implementing Ukraine’s Peace Formula and establishing the necessary conditions for holding the second Peace Summit;

4. Reiterates that Ukraine, as a victim of aggression, has a legitimate right to self-defence in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter; recalls that the significant, although still insufficient, military assistance provided by the EU, the US and like-minded partners is designed to allow Ukraine to effectively defend itself against an aggressor state and to re-establish full control over its entire internationally recognised territory;

5. Praises the Biden administration’s decision to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles for strikes within the Kursk region and welcomes the decisions of the United Kingdom and France to lift their restrictions concerning the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, allowing Ukraine to fully exercise its right to self-defence under international law;

6. Strongly condemns the continued illegal arms transfers from North Korea to Russia for use in attacking Ukraine and the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, supporting Russia’s unlawful war of aggression; urges North Korea to withdraw its troops and stop military cooperation with Russia;

7. Expresses profound concern over reports that 11 000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk as part of Russia’s airborne units and marines, with some already engaged in combat in the war against Ukraine, and warns of the potential for this force to expand further; urges the international community to take swift and decisive action to address this alarming escalation;

8. Expresses deep concern about the possibility of any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, which would undermine international non-proliferation efforts and pose a grave threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and globally;

9. Urges the EU Member States to further broaden and strengthen the sanctions regime against North Korea in view of the country’s direct participation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

10. Expresses deep concern over the ongoing and severe human rights violations in North Korea, where the regime’s oppressive policies and systemic neglect of basic needs have resulted in widespread suffering among its people; condemns the diversion of resources towards military activities and external conflicts, including support for Russia’s war of aggression, at the expense of addressing urgent humanitarian needs within North Korea; calls for the EU and international partners to enhance efforts to hold the North Korean regime accountable for its human rights abuses through UN mechanisms and other international bodies; urges increased support for civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to document abuses and provide aid to North Korean citizens;

11. Condemns Russia’s further escalation of the war by using ICBM missiles to strike Ukrainian cities; demands that Russia immediately halt airstrikes targeting Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, which have caused widespread suffering and disrupted access to essential services, and demands compliance with international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilian objects;

12. Calls on the EU Member States and like-minded partners to accelerate weapons deliveries, in particular of modern air defence systems and other weapons and ammunition in response to clearly identified needs, including Taurus missiles; reiterates its position that all EU Member States and NATO allies should collectively and individually commit to supporting Ukraine militarily, with no less than 0.25 % of their GDP annually;

13. Calls for a substantial increase in the EU’s humanitarian aid in order to ensure that full support for Ukraine continues in 2025; notes that the need for humanitarian support is likely to continue for years to come and stresses the need for the EU to be prepared to meet these needs with long-term planning and adequate funds; calls on neutral states to increase their humanitarian aid to Ukraine;

14. Condemns, as irresponsible and dangerous, the change in the Russian nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons; calls on the Member States and international partners to prepare a quick and decisive response, should Russia conduct a nuclear strike on Ukraine; recalls that any nuclear threats by Russia will not deter the EU from providing further assistance to Ukraine for its self-defence;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, the Government and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Russian Government and the other governments concerned, and the United Nations.