In a plenary debate with EU Commissioner Ilva Johansson, attended by Brigita Clinker, representing the French government, on behalf of the Council, MEPs emphasized the dramatic humanitarian and refugee situation caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
They commended the border states for their tremendous response so far, but warned that lasting solidarity across the EU would be needed.
Speakers unanimously condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the EP said.
Commissioner Johansson emphasized the extreme pressure on Ukraine’s border countries, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, as well as Moldova. The EU undertook to address this challenge by unanimously activating the Temporary Protection Mechanism, ensuring solidarity across the EU, providing support to the UN Refugee Agency and the Red Cross on the ground, and providing € 500 million in humanitarian aid.
MEPs also welcomed the EU’s swift response, providing protection to those fleeing Ukraine, and called for sufficient financial assistance to continue in the medium and long term.
Some speakers wanted to see concrete progress in reforming EU migration and asylum rules, while others emphasized the need for equal protection for all refugees, regardless of their ethnicity.
On February 24, Russian troops invaded Ukraine, starting to fire not only military but also civilian objects and causing a stream of refugees.
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