MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
13.12.2021 - (2021/3010(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Pedro Marques, Tonino Picula, Sven Mikser
on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0594/2021
B9‑0595/2021
European Parliament resolution on the situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine and Russia,
– having regard to the declaration of 20 September 2021 by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security on behalf of the EU on the State Duma, regional and local elections,
– having regard to the statement of the Spokesperson of the European External Action Service of 24 November 2021 on the Russian decree on simplified trade measures in violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,
– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24 and 25 June 2021,
– having regard to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Helsinki Final Act, the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, and the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security,
– having regard to the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, adopted and signed in Minsk on 12 February 2015, and endorsed as a whole in UN Security Council resolution 2202 (2015) of 17 February 2015,
– having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part[1],
– having regard to the joint statement following the 23rd EU-Ukraine Summit on 12 October 2021,
– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in line with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, all states ‘shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state’;
B. whereas the Russian Federation has renewed its large-scale military build-up of combat forces and equipment, as well as its striking capabilities along the border with Ukraine and in the areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are currently occupied by Russia-backed forces, and has significantly increased the scale of its military activities in Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in March 2014;
C. whereas these offensive developments may be interpreted either as preparations for a military aggression or as a threat to use force against neighbouring Ukraine with the aim of interfering with the latter’s sovereignty and political independence, which is in contradiction with the Russian Federation’s international obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe;
D. whereas the implementation of the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements of February 2015 has suffered serious setbacks, in particular due to unilateral measures taken by the Russian Federation in contradiction with its commitments under the agreements;
E. whereas the latest Normandy Four Summit held in Paris on 9 December 2019 agreed several measures, notably concerning a renewed ceasefire and disengagement of forces, which not only remain to be implemented, but are also being obstructed and evidently contradicted by the latest actions of the Russian Federation;
F. whereas more than 14 000 people, including both military personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in more than seven years of conflict fomented by the Russian Federation in eastern Ukraine, while the livelihoods of the population of the Russian-controlled and annexed territories in Ukraine and the surrounding regions continue to be severely affected;
G. whereas several European countries, in addition to France and Germany as the initiators of the Normandy Format, have already expressed their preparedness to counter any military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine with the strongest possible sanctions, in particular in the areas of economic, financial and energy cooperation; whereas on 16 December 2021, the European Council will discuss Russia’s military build-up at the border with Ukraine;
1. Condemns the threatening large-scale military build-up by the Russian Federation along the border with Ukraine and the related actions in the non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions and in illegally annexed Crimea; calls on the Russian Federation to immediately and fully withdraw its military forces, cease its threat against the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and contribute to de-escalating tensions in the region by fully abiding by its commitments as an OSCE-participating state;
2. Reiterates its unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; resolutely condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and its direct and indirect involvement in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as the persistent human rights violations carried out in these territories;
3. Urges all sides, and in particular the Russian Federation, to fulfil their commitments and to implement without delay the measures agreed under the Minsk Agreements, under the Normandy Format and in the Trilateral Contact Group; calls on the Russian Federation to withdraw all its military forces and equipment from the territory of Ukraine;
4. Calls on the Russian Federation to cease taking unilateral measures that contradict the commitments made under the Minsk Agreements and impede their further implementation, aggravate the conflict in eastern Ukraine and raise doubts internationally about the political will and capacity of the Russian Federation to honour its commitments; denounces, in particular, the large-scale conferral of Russian nationality (passportisation), the decision to involve residents of the non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the State Duma elections of September 2021, and the recently simplified trade measures which facilitate the flow of goods to and from these regions and the Russian market;
5. Underlines that political dialogue remains the sole basis for solving the conflict in eastern Ukraine; reiterates, therefore, the need for all parties, and in particular the Russian Federation, to work towards a political solution to the conflict by contributing constructively to the talks under the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy Format;
6. Welcomes the latest EU statements expressing firm support for coordinated international action against a potential military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, both a common European neighbour and an important partner country;
7. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and the European External Action Service, together with the EU Member States, to enhance common European efforts for the peaceful resolution of the conflict; calls, in this regard, for a closely coordinated discussion on how to enhance the Normandy Format and all related aspects, including, where required or beneficial, with transatlantic partners;
8. Urges the VP/HR to ensure that the Council remains informed of military actions by the Russian Federation and remains prepared to agree swiftly on further joint action, in particular the adoption of severe economic and financial sanctions in close coordination with transatlantic partners;
9. Calls on the European Council to discuss and thoroughly evaluate, in its meeting of 16 December 2021, any possible reactions to the threats against European security posed by the Russian Federation and to continue its previous discussions on a comprehensive EU strategy towards Russia;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the President, Government and Parliament of Ukraine, and the President, Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation.
- [1] OJ L 161, 29.5.2014, p. 3.