Bettina Vollath EUdebates Russian aggression in Ukraine

Bettina Vollath (S&D). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, Frau Ministerin! Polnische Frauen stellen ihre Kinderwägen an die Grenze für erschöpfte ukrainische Mütter. In ganz Europa: Freiwilligen-Initiativen, die aus den Kriegsgebieten Fliehenden zeigen, dass sie nicht alleine sind. Endlich Solidarität mit Flüchtenden – danke! Europa zeigt, dass es für sie da ist, und wir zeigen endlich, dass wir solidarisch handeln können, gesellschaftlich und politisch. Die Richtlinie über vorübergehenden Schutz war ein wichtiger erster Schritt. Darauf dürfen wir uns jetzt aber nicht ausruhen, sondern wir müssen den zugesagten Zugang zu Arbeit und Bildung und zu medizinischer Versorgung auch tatsächlich umsetzen. Kein Mensch darf zurückgelassen werden. Diesen viel strapazierten Satz müssen wir jetzt mit Taten füllen! Alle Menschen, die vor dem Krieg in der Ukraine fliehen, müssen Schutz bekommen, unabhängig von ihrem Pass, ihrer Hautfarbe. Und vergessen wir unter dem Eindruck dieser Krise nicht endgültig jene Menschen, die schon so lange unter verheerenden Bedingungen in Elendslagern oder völlig ungeschützt an anderen europäischen Grenzen ausharren. Endlich Solidarität mit Flüchtenden. Bitte! On Tuesday afternoon, plenary debated with Council and Commission representatives the deteriorating situation for refugees as a consequence of the Russian invasion. According to the UNHCR, more than one million persons have left the country since 24 February, most of them heading to neighbouring countries. The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to activate the Temporary Protection Directive, to ensure that Ukrainians get protection in the EU, including temporary residence rights and access to education and the labour market. #WAR #Sanctions #Russia #Ukraine #PutinsWar #refugees In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, in which Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will participate, MEPs will look into the EU’s role in a changing world and Europe’s security situation in the wake of the Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine. President Metsola and Prime Minister Kallas will give a press conference after the debate. These exchanges follow the extraordinary plenary session held on Tuesday 1 March, with the remote participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk. Parliament adopted a resolution calling for tougher sanctions against Russia and new efforts to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. Russian aggression in Ukraine: MEPs praise exceptional solidarity with refugees. As more than two million refugees flee war in Ukraine, mostly towards the EU, member states will have to continue showing solidarity, MEPs said on Tuesday. In a plenary debate with Brigitte Klinkert, French Minister Delegate for Economic Inclusion, on behalf of the Council, and Commissioner Ylva Johansson, MEPs highlighted the dramatic humanitarian and refugee situation caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. They praised frontline states for their extraordinary engagement so far, but warned that sustained solidarity across the EU will be necessary in the long-term. Speakers unanimously condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Commissioner Ylva Johansson stressed the extraordinary pressure on member states sharing borders with Ukraine: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, as well as Republic of Moldova. The EU rose to the challenge when the Council unanimously activated the temporary protection mechanism, providing solidarity across the EU, by supporting the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Red Cross working on the ground, and via the activation of €500 million in humanitarian aid. # https://eudebates.tv/ #eudebates