Yesterday, the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted overwhelmingly in favour of the ReArm programme with 419 votes in favour, 204 against and 46 abstentions. The Parliament’s resolution stated that Europe is currently facing its biggest military threat to its territorial integrity since the Cold War. The European Parliament has urged the EU institutions to move much rapidly to act in the case of war or other large-scale crisis and has stated that the EU should have a common defence policy. The European Parliament is also proposing to create an EU Defense Council where a qualified majority would be able to approve decisions except for military interventions.
The EU Commissioner President and the High Representative will be presenting a white paper to the EU Parliament next week on how the ReArm programme will be finance. Article 122 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union was activated to rapidly approve the ReArm programme with the EU Council.
Up to 400 Members of the European Parliament signed a joint declaration condemning the US for blackmailing Ukraine to capitulate to Russia with a ceasefire. The declaration condemned the US withdrawal of military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine, but since the declaration was written before the US and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire agreement, the resolution was not brought to a vote. President Donald Trump threw a lifeline at the Russian Army with weapons aid and intelligence sharing withdrawals helping the Russians recapture Kursk.
440 MEPs also voted in favour of a resolution supporting Ukraine’s EU membership and to expediate this process whilst supporting Ukraine’s armament and security guarantees in order to prevent further Russian aggression. The European Parliament also reiterated that there can be no discussions about European security without the involvement of the EU.
Newsroom
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