This is reported by Kyiv24
On July 9, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that firmly condemned the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The document was supported by 507 members, while 77 voted against it, and 45 abstained.
Key Aspects of the European Parliament Resolution
The resolution emphasizes that the full-scale aggression by Russia, which began in February 2022, has destroyed peace and stability in Europe and significantly undermined global security. Russia is labeled as “the greatest and most immediate threat to European security.”
Members of the European Parliament stress that Russia bears exceptional responsibility for the aggressive war against Ukraine. They condemn the war crimes, human rights violations, and other breaches of international law committed by Russian military personnel and officials, highlighting the unacceptability of impunity.
“Particular outrage is expressed by MEPs regarding Russian attacks on civilians, as well as the deliberate and systematic destruction of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.”
The document specifically notes that the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia may be an element of the Kremlin’s strategy aimed at destroying the national identity of Ukrainians.
Calls to Action and Support for Ukraine
MEPs emphasize that Russia continues to commit brutal crimes against the civilian population in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian authorities, about 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held in captivity in Russia and in occupied territories, while over 70,000 individuals, including children, civilians, and military personnel, are considered missing.
The European Parliament sharply condemns the executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, stating that these actions constitute war crimes under the Geneva Convention. The members expressed full support for the investigations by the International Criminal Court regarding the actions of Russian officials, and welcomed the agreements to establish a Special Tribunal to address the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.
The European Parliament insists on holding accountable all those involved in war crimes in Ukraine. Additionally, the members called on Russia to immediately agree to a comprehensive prisoner exchange on the principle of “all for all.”
The resolution emphasizes the need to strengthen military, economic, political, and diplomatic support from the EU and partners to stop Russian aggression and ensure a sustainable ceasefire.
MEPs urge the EU to expedite the procedures for confiscating frozen Russian state assets for the benefit of Ukraine, stressing that legal mechanisms for this already exist, and delays could become “an unforgivable failure of European governments’ policies.”
It is worth noting that resolutions of the European Parliament are primarily symbolic and not legally binding, but they clearly reflect the institution’s political stance on events in Ukraine.