President of S&D Group in EP on priorities for Ukraine: long-range weapons, sanctions, and frozen Russian assets for recovery
During a visit to Kyiv, Iratxe García Pérez, President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament (EP), outlined three key areas of focus for her group in supporting Ukraine.
The group has three important proposals: first, the use of EUR 200 million from frozen Russian assets for reconstruction. This is something the group is strongly advocating with the new EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas. It is crucial to support Ukraine's recovery by utilizing Russia's frozen assets. The group has asked Kallas to present a proposal on this matter, García Pérez stated at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.
According to her, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats will back this initiative as a political group. Additionally, García Pérez emphasized the need to develop a unified stance on Ukraine's use of long-range weaponry.
The group understands that this is a critical request for Ukraine, and it will work not only within the European Parliament but also with all EU member states to push for recognition of how important this is, she added.
Another key issue, according to the S&D group, is supporting the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia and initiating work on this topic.
Next week, the Council of the European Union will meet. Before the Council meeting, preparatory debates in the European Parliament will be held, and the Social Democrats group will stress the importance of endorsing this new sanctions package, the S&D President said.
García Pérez also highlighted that this visit is the group's first official mission since her re-election, marking what she described as a clear political signal. During their trip, the delegation held meetings with the speaker of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, the prime minister, and the defense minister.
The group wants to send a clear message: unwavering support for Ukraine to strengthen its position in any negotiations. Since the beginning of this brutal war of aggression, the group has been working together in the European Parliament to maintain unity, García Pérez stated.
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) is the second-largest political group in the European Parliament.
