EU - Ukraine Association Agreement is a decisive step forward - Main contents
Today’s green light by the European Parliament’s influential Foreign Affairs committee to the EU Ukraine association agreement is a decisive step forward for Ukraine.
Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands), ALDE Spokesperson on Ukraine said “ First and foremost Ukraine needs political stability. The EU’s strong and united support in the form of this Association Agreement at a time when Ukraine is bleeding in the East is vital.
He continued “The Association Agreement provides Ukraine with the means and inspiration for a broad European reform agenda which will allow the citizens of Ukraine to improve their lives. The Russian counter -offer to the Ukrainian people has been tanks, missiles and bloodshed. “
ALDE MEPs today also met with Ruslana, Ukrainian singer and activist, who told them in no uncertain terms that the current ceasefire is not working and only stronger sanctions by the EU will force Putin to withdraw
Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, ALDE Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Liberal's Movement of Lithuania) added “ Today Ruslana brought us an important message directly from Eastern Ukraine: there is no real ceasefire and moreover there is a high chance that any break in fighting will only be used by pro-Russian forces to regroup militarily. The EU must be strong and united in the understanding that only by strict and effective sanctions against Russia we can achieve a lasting truce. If we do not act, we kill Ukraine’s European hopes and aspirations for which thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives in Maidan and in Eastern Ukraine".