Kyiv, 10 December 2024
#Today, S&D President Iratxe García met with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and reiterated the progressives’ continued full support to Ukraine for whatever it takes to win the war. President García travelled to Ukraine with a delegation of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament to meet with key representatives of the government to express the Group’s full support to Ukraine, more than 1,000 days into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The S&D Group also reaffirmed its commitment to accompanying Ukraine on the reforms that pave the way for accession to the European Union.
This is the first time in this parliamentary term that a group leader in the European parliament has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelenskyy. Iratxe García was accompanied by MEPs Yannis Maniatis – S&D vice-president for foreign affairs, security and defence, Nacho Sánchez Amor – S&D AFET coordinator, Sven Mikser – S&D SEDE coordinator and Thijs Reuten – S&D shadow rapporteur for Ukraine.
The S&D delegation met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevhen Perebyinis and Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov.
The S&D MEPs held important exchanges with the leadership and young activists of the progressive movement and partner, SD Platform. They also paid tribute at the Wall of Remembrance at St. Michael’s Monastery to the many brave Ukrainians who have lost their lives fighting for freedom, democracy and a European future for their country.
S&D leader Iratxe García said:
“It’s not by chance that I have chosen Ukraine for my first official visit as reelected group President after the European elections of 2024. More than 1,000 days have passed since Russia started its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. We are facing a critical geopolitical period marked by uncertainties, but Ukraine can be certain of our continued support. At this beginning of the new term, the S&D family is convinced that it is necessary and urgent to scale up the support to Ukraine, to make it more effective, more predictable, and more sustainable in the long term. I reiterated to President Zelenskyy that we want Ukraine to win this war so that it may focus on offering its people a life in peace and prosperity – as part of the European family.
“As the second largest group in the European Parliament, we are ready to lead new proposals to make the EU work closer with Ukraine and we call for unity among democratic and pro-European forces to ensure freedom, peace and prosperity for the Ukrainian people.
“We did not come to Kyiv with empty words. We want to show our support to Ukraine with concrete actions. I asked High Representative Kaja Kallas to put forward a legal proposal to use the €200 billion of frozen Russian state assets in order to arm and reconstruct Ukraine; the use of profits is not enough. I also want to work with the EU Heads of State and Government and the President of the European Council on a common position to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory. Ukraine must be able to effectively protect its civilian population and critical infrastructure against Russian attacks.
“I remind those who don’t want to take part, or those who side with Russia, that this war is an attack against our Union and our citizens; it is an attack against the rules-based international order and the principles of the UN Charter. It is also an attack against the principles and mechanisms of cooperation and security in Europe and therefore threatens the security and prosperity of all citizens of Europe.
“Finally, we expressed our support for the European aspirations of the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is a European country and its citizens are our European compatriots. The Ukrainian people have chosen a future in the European Union and I said to President Zelenskyy that we will stand by their side until their wish for a peaceful and prosperous European future has been fulfilled.”
Source – S&D Group (by email)