There was overwhelming support for Ukraine in today’s EU Parliament during the Strasbourg sessions as MEPs condemned the capitulation proposal pushed by the US and Russia on Ukraine. MEPs overwhelmingly underlined the principle that there should be no negotiations without Ukraine and that anything that Ukraine alone should decide on its future course with regard to Russia’s invasion of its own country. MEP Tobias Cremer said that the US proposals to Ukraine were a Santa Claus wishlist by Vladimir Putin.
MEPs are about to vote on an emergency resolution presented by the European People’s Party in full support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and for no limitations on Ukraine’s army. European leaders previously capitulated to Russia’s demand for restrictions on Ukraine’s army. The resolution is expected to be approved.
EU Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen has also reiterated today there should be no limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces. She also highlighted that Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians every time it puts forward a supposed peace proposal, and stressed that Europe must maintain maximum pressure on Russia to force it to end its aggression and accept genuine peace. The Commissioner President also announced that the EU Commission will be introducing a new legal text to appropriate Russian assets to pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction. President Von der Leyen said that it is unthinkable that it would be only the European taxpayer who would pay for this reconstruction. She concluded that there should be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine and nothing about Europe without Europe.
The use of frozen Russian funds in Europe is currently being blocked by Belgium. EPP leader Max Weber underlined about the importance of finding an urgent solution to funding Ukraine’s €140 billion budget shortfall. He stressed that Europe needs the determination that Ukrainians are showing by defending their country.
The European Parliament also approved the EU’s budget for next year with a total commitments at €192.8 billion and payments at €190.1 billion. It was adopted with 419 votes in favour, 185 against and 53 abstentions.
Following a conciliation agreement reached with the Council on 15 November and endorsed by member states on 24 November, Parliament secured an extra €372.7 million above the Commission’s original draft. Key reinforcements include €20 million for Horizon Europe, €23.5 million for the Connecting Europe Facility (energy and transport infrastructure), and €35 million each for humanitarian aid and the Southern Neighbourhood. The budget also shields flagship programmes such as Erasmus+ (€3 million extra) and EU4Health (€3 million) from an unexpected €4.2 billion surge in NextGenerationEU borrowing costs, thanks to a “cascade mechanism” that redirects funds without cutting core initiatives. Security and defence receive targeted boosts: €10 million each for military mobility and the Integrated Border Management Fund, alongside €10 million to strengthen the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU fleet. Climate action benefits from an additional €10 million for the LIFE programme, while agriculture sees a €105 million increase to promote EU products, particularly among young farmers.
Over 93% of the budget will directly finance projects and people across the 27 member states. A €715.7 million margin remains available under the Multiannual Financial Framework ceilings for unforeseen needs.
Malta is expected to receive up to €320-360 million if all milestones are met. Malta may also benefit from the €105 million increase in the European Agricultural Fund.
The full session can be viewed here.
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