Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Jessika Roswall
Language: EN

The downstream flooding has endangered the lives of thousands of innocent people and is affecting water and energy supplies. It also has extremely negative consequences for the environment and agriculture in vast areas of Ukraine. This ecological and environmental catastrophe will take years to repair and those responsible need to be held to account for this and for other war crimes in connection with the Russian aggression. Dealing with the consequences of this despicable act and relieving the damage caused will be a part of our effort towards the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. We will continue our response to Russia’s war as we have done until now, along three strands. Through our unwavering support to Ukraine, and in this regard, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its resolute support, the international isolation of sanctions against Russia, and diplomatic outreach around the world to mitigate the effect of the Russian war and fight back Russian disinformation, which, regrettably, still has an impact and traction. Today, the EU’s and its Member States’ support for Ukraine amounts to at least EUR 70 billion, including macro financial assistance, military support and humanitarian aid. We will continue to strengthen this support for as long as it takes. It is crucial to help Ukraine prevail, win the war and win the peace, and our support is clear. First, our security commitment to Ukraine – it includes European Peace Facility, training of Ukrainian soldiers, more air defence support and ramping up the EU defence industry. The initial objective of 15 000 soldiers trained is already reached and we are well on track to train the new objective of 30 000 soldiers. Our initiative on ammunition is a clear example on how the EU thinks and acts in both the short and the long term. We are delivering on our promise of 1 million rounds of ammunition within 12 months, while also looking into different options to ensure that our military support is sustainable in the long term. We have allocated EUR 500 million to ramp up European defence industries through ASAP – the Act in Support of Ammunition Production. Second, nearly a year ago, the EU took a truly historic decision: Ukraine was granted candidate country status. The strategic objective of both the EU and Ukraine is clear: EU membership. The process must be merit-based and necessary reforms must be implemented. Ukraine’s European path represents the EU’s ultimate solidarity and support for Ukraine. Third, we continue working to undermine Russia’s war machine also through sanctions, with 10 packages adopted and work ongoing towards adopting an 11th package. I can assure you that the Swedish presidency is working hard towards the adoption of this package. We have sanctioned 1 473 individuals and 207 entities and have taken sectoral measures, including export controls, and we have phased out Russian energy and taken action to stop access to the international financial system and assets abroad. Fourth, accountability – we continue working together with Ukraine to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious crimes committed against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. In addition to our support via the ICC and Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor-General, we work on a joint EU position on the dedicated tribunal for the crime of aggression. Fifth – peace support, supporting President Zelenskyy’s peace formula and the organisation of a peace formula summit with wide international participation. No one is longing for peace more than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We support President Zelenskyy’s initiative for a just peace based on respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as protected by the UN Charter. We, as the EU, have a clear responsibility to ensure that Ukraine will become a successful EU Member State. This responsibility calls for our continuous mobilisation, today, while Russia continues waging war and committing war crimes, tomorrow, for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine, and throughout, to support Ukraine in implementing the reforms needed with a view to EU accession.