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

B100195/2024

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 Russia, particularly those of 29 February 2024, 19 September 2024 and 14 November 2024,

– having regard to the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine of 1997, which established a framework for closer security cooperation,

– having regard to the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan adopted at the 2002 NATO Prague summit, which stated, for the first time, Ukraine’s NATO membership as a long-term goal,

– having regard to the Declaration of the 2008 Bucharest summit, in which NATO stated that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually become members of the Alliance – a statement that significantly increased tensions with Russia,

– having regard to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine of 2016, aimed at reforming Ukraine’s Armed Forces according to NATO standards and achieving their interoperability with NATO forces by 2020,

– having regard to NATO’s Enhanced Opportunities Partnership (EOP) with Ukraine, granted in 2020, which further deepened military and security collaboration between NATO and Ukraine,

– having regard to the iteration of the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine would become a member of NATO at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels in June 2021,

– having regard to the US-Ukraine Strategic Defense Framework of August 2021, stipulating increased collaboration between the two states in the Black Sea,

– having regard to the Vilnius Summit Communiqué of July 2023, reaffirming NATO’s commitment to Ukraine’s long-term integration,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/792 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 February 2024 establishing the Ukraine Facility, i.e. financial mechanisms for Ukraine’s recovery,

– having regard to the report by Mario Draghi entitled ‘The future of European competitiveness’, published in September 2024, highlighting Europe’s economic vulnerabilities after ceasing the import of Russian energy supplies,

– having regard to Executive Order No. 991 on Nuclear Deterrence of the President of Russia, dated 19 November 2024,

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

A. whereas the conflict in Ukraine has deep geopolitical and socio-economic roots, including long-standing tensions and security competition between great powers;

B. whereas NATO’s actions, including the 2008 Bucharest Declaration and subsequent military collaborations with Ukraine, have been perceived by Russia as a direct threat to its security interests;

C. whereas the escalation of hostilities to the level of a full-scale war in Ukraine since 2022 has resulted in severe humanitarian, economic and security consequences, including significant civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure;

D. whereas the integration of Ukraine into NATO’s strategic framework, including its Enhanced Opportunities Partnership (EOP), has been interpreted by Russia as crossing its ‘red lines’, thus exacerbating the crisis;

E. whereas the 2023 Vilnius Summit Communiqué reaffirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine’s future membership, a move that escalated the threat level perceived by Russia;

F. whereas the EU and its Member States have consistently supported Ukraine through financial, humanitarian and military aid, while also imposing significant sanctions on Russia; whereas these sanctions have led to economic difficulties within the EU itself, but have not contributed to the de-escalation of the conflict;

G. whereas the continuation of the conflict has exacerbated global instability, heightened the risks of nuclear escalation and put international security frameworks under strain;

H. whereas the Draghi report highlights the EU’s loss of competitiveness due to increased energy costs and economic burdens arising from the conflict;

I. whereas sanctions on Russian oil have been circumvented by ‘shadow fleets’, undermining the intended impact of these measures and contributing to environmental risks;

J. whereas the escalation of military aid risks prolonging the conflict and increasing civilian and economic losses;

K. whereas Russian troops are making significant daily advances through the entire contact line, while Ukrainian forces are suffering major losses and are being forced to give ground, adopting a defensive stance due to a lack of initiative;

L. whereas Russia possesses significant military, human and material resources, far superior to Ukraine’s capabilities; whereas Russia is able to react adequately at every stage of the conflict’s escalation;

1. Acknowledges the complex geopolitical factors that have led to the current conflict, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that considers the legitimate security concerns of all parties involved;

2. Condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the violence and destruction caused by all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities by all sides;

3. Expresses concerns about the alleged deployment of North Korean military forces into the conflict zone as this could constitute a serious escalation; stresses that the EU must base its decisions and statements solely on verified and incontrovertible evidence;

4. Stresses that continued military escalation is not a viable solution to the conflict and urges the EU and its Member States to achieve a ceasefire along the entire contact line and to focus their efforts on initiating diplomatic negotiations to achieve a sustainable peace agreement;

5. Reiterates the need for the EU to act as a mediator, facilitating dialogue between Ukraine and Russia with the involvement of international partners to ensure a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict; welcomes peace initiatives such as that of Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, in July of this year;

6. Expresses concern over the economic repercussions of the conflict on EU Member States, including rising energy prices, the loss of competitiveness and increased fiscal burdens;

7. Underlines that the authorisation of the use of long-range weapon systems supplied by the US, the UK and France within Russian territory does not merely grant Ukraine new capabilities, but signifies the de jure involvement of the above-mentioned states as active participants in the conflict; emphasises that such operations would be impossible without the direct coordination, logistical support and involvement of military forces from the above-mentioned states, thereby escalating the conflict and increasing the risk of a wider confrontation; stresses that this approach risks escalating the conflict further, undermines prospects for peace and increases the likelihood of uncontrollable retaliatory measures, including nuclear escalation;

8. Stresses that the economic sanctions imposed on Russia have proven to be counterproductive and disproportionately harmful to EU economies, while failing to effectively influence the outcome of the conflict;

9. Emphasises that peace can only be achieved through mutual compromise and realistic expectations, and urges the EU to prioritise efforts to de-escalate the conflict through pragmatic and inclusive dialogue;

10. Calls for a comprehensive reassessment of the EU and NATO’s policies towards Ukraine in order to de-escalate tensions and promote a balanced security framework that respects the interests of all stakeholders in the region;

11. Calls for a comprehensive review of the EU’s military and financial support for the government of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in order to ensure that such assistance aligns with the EU’s broader strategic interests, promotes peace efforts and remains transparent and accountable;

12. Recognises that a potential shift in US foreign policy under the future Trump presidency could mark a strategic turning point towards the coexistence of powers within a multipolar world order; welcomes Trump’s initiative to prioritise ending the conflict in Ukraine as one of his first actions upon taking office; emphasises that the EU should constructively engage with and support any potential US-led initiatives for a ceasefire in Ukraine to ensure a sustainable resolution to the conflict;

13. 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, Government and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Government and State Duma of Russia, any other governments concerned and the United Nations.