MEPs denounced the destruction of Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam, the latest war crime committed by Russia and one that must be met with consequences. They called for the EU to continue its strong support for Ukraine, for new sanctions against Russia, and for the billions of frozen assets by Russian oligarchs to be used to reconstruct Ukraine.
On migration and asylum, some MEPs welcomed the agreement reached by member states as a step forward that will help improve the treatment and reception of refugees, better protect the EU’s external borders, and enable the EU to fight human trafficking more effectively. Some speakers also stressed that the EU must do more to fight the causes of migration and that it needs to cooperate more with third countries. Others criticised the debate as toxic and driven by fear, noting that strengthened borders will not lead to fewer refugees and that that the deal in Council de facto abolishes the right to asylum in the EU.
Other topics MEPs raised were the green and digital transition, the nature restoration law, the upcoming revision of the EU’s long-term budget, and the need to reindustrialize Europe.
Ahead of MEPs’ interventions, Commission Vice-President Šefčovič and Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Roswall took the floor for the Commission and the Council respectively.
Watch the full debate here.
