Resolution on reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia

2024/2940(RSP)

The European Parliament adopted by 390 votes to 135, with 52 abstentions, a resolution on reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups and Members.

Parliament demanded that Russia immediately cease all military activities in Ukraine. It condemned Russia’s recourse to North Korea to provide troops to fight against the Ukrainian army and its testing of new ballistic missiles in Ukraine. It considered that these recent escalatory steps represent a new phase in the war and a new risk for Europe’s security as a whole.

The resolution emphasised the need for increased and accelerated EU solidarity in providing political, military, humanitarian, economic and financial support to Ukraine until Ukraine’s victory. It reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and supports Ukraine’s Peace Formula as a framework for international engagement.

Parliament denounced Iran, Belarus and North Korea for their military support to Russia, and in particular all North Korea’s military support for Russia, which further exacerbates the conflict. It reiterated that both Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and North Korea’s participation in the war and its nuclear and missile programmes constitute grave threats to the rules-based international order.

Furthermore, Parliament called on Beijing to end all military or dual-use assistance to Russia and its war of aggression against Ukraine. A refusal to change course on this matter risks seriously affecting bilateral EU-China relations according to Members.

Member States are urged to further broaden and strengthen the sanctions regime against North Korea, Belarus and Iran in light of these countries’ military support for Russia and to add to the EU sanctions lists all the main Chinese entities and individuals who directly support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s defence and security sector.

The resolution highlighted the need for a comprehensive EU strategy to address the broader implications of authoritarian alliances, particularly between Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Iran, China and other states undermining the rules-based international order.

The EU and its Member States are called on to further strengthen their military support for Ukraine and accelerate delivery of the equipment pledged to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs. Parliament reiterated its position that all EU Member States and NATO allies should collectively and individually commit to supporting Ukraine militarily, with no less than 0.25 % of their GDP annually.

Members called for the extension of sanctions against Russia notably in the sectors of special economic importance for Russia such as the metallurgical, nuclear, chemical, agricultural and banking sectors and on Russian raw materials. They called for a revision of the current duration of the sanctions imposed on Russia from six months to three years.

Lastly, Parliament welcomed US President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use advanced rocket systems on military targets within Russian territory. It also called for the EU and its Member States to engage with the incoming administration in Washington to strengthen mutually beneficial transatlantic cooperation. It expects the incoming Trump administration to maintain support for Ukraine.