European Parliament supports Ukraine, condemns Orban's Russia visit
6:26 PM EDT, July 17, 2024
The first resolution adopted during the new term of the European Parliament confirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Russia. On Thursday, 495 MEPs voted for the resolution in the 720-seat chamber.
On the second day of the inaugural session, the European Parliament expressed strong support for Kyiv. The resolution was supported by a significant majority of MEPs, with 137 voting against it and 47 abstaining.
MEPs called on the European Union and its member states to increase military support to Ukraine for as long as necessary and in all possible forms. They also urged the European Commission to propose long-term financial assistance for Ukraine's reconstruction.
In the resolution, MEPs also state that EU member states should commit to providing military support to Ukraine amounting to at least 0.25 percent of their GDP - RMF FM reports.
The European Parliament condemns Orban's visit to Russia
The EP condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent visit to Moscow, considering it a blatant violation of EU treaties and common foreign policy, including the principle of loyal cooperation. As stated in the resolution, the Hungarian Prime Minister cannot claim to represent the EU when he violates the Union's common stance on the war in Ukraine.
In the EP's assessment, this "violation" should result in consequences for Hungary. The chamber reminded that directly after the so-called peace mission of Orban, Russia attacked the Ohmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv. This showed the "insignificance of the alleged efforts" of the Hungarian Prime Minister and was met with skepticism by the Ukrainian authorities - MEPs emphasized.
MEPs also want the establishment of a "legal regime for the confiscation of Russian state assets frozen by the EU."
Recently, "Politico" reported that Brussels is highly irritated by the behavior of the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has made several unannounced foreign visits recently. The day after Hungary assumed the presidency of the EU, Orban made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, and three days later, to Moscow.
