Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for setting a clear date for Ukraine's accession to the European Union in a video address to MEPs on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, Agence France-Presse reported, BTA reported.
"It is important for us to have a clear date for our accession to the European Union", Zelensky stressed.
"Without this clarification, Russian President Vladimir Putin will find a way to block Ukraine's accession to the Union for decades, dividing you and Europe on this issue," he added.
Only one group in the European Parliament - "Europe of Sovereign Nations" (EPP) did not support Ukraine today at the extraordinary session of MEPs in Brussels, dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Russian military attack on the Ukrainian side. As BTA reported, at the beginning of the session, MEPs listened to an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, BTA reported.
The European People's Party (EPP) group pointed out that the war in Ukraine is senseless and that today is a day of sorrow, indignation and determination. We are outraged not only by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, but also by his supporters such as (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban and (his Slovak counterpart Robert) Fico, the EPP said. (US President Donald) Trump's attitude towards Ukraine is regrettable because of the pressure he has put on the victim in this war, this parliamentary group added.
The Socialists and Democrats group noted that Putin has not achieved any of his goals by launching the military attack and has made the biggest strategic mistake since the end of the Cold War. Today's war is an attack on the European order, Putin does not want peace and needs the war to maintain his regime. Sooner or later, the EU will have to take back the Russian assets seized in Europe, and this would not be revenge, but justice. Whoever blocks the (EU) sanctions against Russia strengthens the aggressor, Putin will lose the war, this parliamentary group said.
"Patriots for Europe" insisted that the EU continue to support Ukraine humanitarianally and logistically, but called for this not to lead to the weakening of European countries. This political force noted that the discussed option of accelerated negotiations with Ukraine on joining the EU is not accepted unanimously by the European society. There can be no other way out than a negotiated peace, added the representatives of this parliamentary force.
The European conservatives and reformists called on Europe to use its capabilities for restraint and conducting diplomatic negotiations, and commented that "history would kneel before the Ukrainian patriots".
The "Renew Europe" group stated that the EU is the biggest supporter of Ukraine - economically, militarily and politically. According to this parliamentary force, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban is exerting "unworthy blackmail" by blocking a decision to extend EU sanctions against Russia. The group insisted that a peace agreement without Ukrainians and Europeans should not be allowed, and called for faster assistance to Kiev and the imposition of sanctions against Moscow.
The Greens described the war as unjustified, unprovoked and illegal, and accused Orban of weakening Europe and acting cowardly as a "cheap servant of Putin". Orban has betrayed not only Ukraine, but all of us, betrayed Europe, this parliamentary force pointed out with a call for the urgent introduction of more sanctions against the Russian side and the acceleration of negotiations with Kiev on joining the EU.
The Left Group stated that there is a need for a lasting peace, negotiated with the participation of Ukraine through diplomatic channels, as well as for the continuation of sanctions against Russia.
The EUN commented that President Zelensky is behaving ungratefully. According to them, Ukrainians are to blame for the destruction of the "Nord Stream" gas pipeline and the suspension of oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary via the "Druzhba" pipeline in recent days. Only according to this parliamentary group, Ukraine has "one of the most corrupt regimes" and the EU should stop its support.