European Union lawmakers have called for Europe to “double its efforts” to strengthen its defense and support Ukraine, as the United States holds talks with Russia in an attempt to end the war.
“Europe can no longer fully rely on the U.S. to protect our shared values and interests, including the continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” read a joint statement from the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, the Liberals, and the Greens on February 18.
“We must face this new reality and double our collective European efforts to defend Ukraine and overall European security by creating a strong deterrent against any aggression,” the statement added.
The call for action follows U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at paving the way for negotiations to end the war that Russia launched against Ukraine three years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine and Europe must be included in any negotiations regarding the war’s resolution.
EU lawmakers stressed that the bloc must “ensure Ukraine is in a strong military position” and should pass legislation to seize over €200 billion in frozen Russian assets within the EU.
“There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine and the European Union at the table. There can be no negotiations on European security without the EU,” they emphasized.
European states have increased defense spending since Russia’s 2022 invasion but acknowledge that more urgent action is needed to counter the Russian threat.
