Debate: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of - March : including the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL 2022
Speaker: Maroš Šefčovič
Language: EN

I fully understand the calls of honourable Members to do more to help Ukraine and to put even more pressure on Russia. And I understand it. At the same time, we have to recognise that we can best help Ukraine and fend off the aggressor if we are politically united and economically strong. Unity, solidarity and economic strength are our strongest assets and instruments.  In five weeks we adopted five packages of sanctions and they are biting. The Russian economy is heavily suffering and the financial system is in turmoil. I also can tell you that Russian oligarchs are being pursued. Their assets have been seized. The European ‘Freeze and Seize’ Taskforce, works, and it is fully operational. All that we did in less than five weeks. And I can tell you that the EU got a lot credit and praise for its leadership from the value- based world. And I think that the Vice-President/High Representative will tell you about the geopolitical strengthening of the European position because of this leadership.  I agree with all the honourable Members that we bear huge responsibility. Therefore, we will continue to close the loopholes of our sanctions and increase the pressure on the aggressor. We are looking into further measures on how to dramatically reduce our dependency on Russia and how to do it in a way that will continue to have the strong public support and the stellar unity we have now in Europe.  We will pursue all avenues to consolidate our energy security. We are working on energy efficiency. We will accelerate our Green Deal, but also we will work better with our gas storages. We will improve the infrastructure and I totally agree with all those who have been calling for finalising the infrastructure build-up and build, finally, the necessary interconnectors between the Iberian Peninsula and rest of the European Union.  We are putting energy diplomacy into a higher gear. We are setting up common projects of gas platforms so we can purchase the gas as a major global customer for a better price from diversified sources. And I’m very glad, too, that you are also referring to this in your draft resolution on which you will vote tomorrow.  We are also working on the contingencies and on how to operationalise, repower and together with the Commissioner Breton, we are putting a lot of efforts into our strategic autonomy, be it in key technologies or critical raw materials.  Mr Weber and Mr Moreno Sánchez called for the beefing-up of our defence union, and I am sure that my colleague, Josep Borrell, will address this issue. But I can also inform you that by May, we are preparing the defence investment gaps which will then lead, I am sure, to the further plan how to beef-up our defence capabilities in Europe.  Madam García Pérez highlighted the need to start work on a special fund to rebuild Ukraine and she is right. The costs will be enormous. We will help Ukrainians to rebuild their homes, their apartments, to rebuild the industry and infrastructure. And I’m sure that Europe will lead those efforts. But it also has to be a global task. And therefore, we will work together with our American partners, with the G-7, with the IMF, World Bank or international financial organisations. I am sure we will be ready for the talks, but first we have to stop the war.  Madam Bonafè and Mr Picula highlighted that there is no easy way forward, that democracy has its costs, and the Ukrainians are those who are paying the highest prices – and both that are absolutely right. We must be and we are, ready for tough decisions. And therefore, to conclude, I would like to thank all those honourable Members who been calling for unity, solidarity and strong support for Ukrainians. All these qualities will be needed not only to stop the war, but to rebuild a strong, prosperous, free and democratic Ukraine.