Ανακοινωθέντα

Joint statement by:

• the Co-Chair of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, MEP David MCALLISTER,
• the Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Pekka TOVERI,
• the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the United States, MEP Brando BENIFEI,
• the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Russia, MEP Ville NIINISTÖ,
• the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for Ukraine, MEP Michael GAHLER
• the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for the U.S., MEP Michał SZCZERBA,
• the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for Russia, MEP Sandra KALNIETE.

Brussels, 11 August 2025 "Taking note of the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 August, we welcome all efforts aimed at achieving a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine that is firmly grounded in international law, the principles of the UN Charter and ensures the prosecution of those responsible for war crimes.

With that in mind, we stress that no peace in Ukraine can be negotiated without the full participation of Ukraine's democratically elected leadership and the backing of its people. We underline that any settlement that neglects the will of Ukraine or undermines its legitimate aspirations will be neither just nor viable.

We emphasise that any arrangement on terms dictated by Russia or that would reward its war of aggression against Ukraine would gravely endanger the security of the European continent. It is therefore essential and urgent that the EU, its Member States and all like-minded partners and allies continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In this context, we recall that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cornerstone of stability in Europe and globally. Aggression must never be rewarded or acknowledged - neither in Ukraine nor anywhere else. If Russia succeeds in altering Ukraine's borders by force, the security of no country's borders can be assured.

We stress that peace negotiations must be preceded by an unconditional ceasefire. At the same time, we caution against the disingenuous approach to negotiations and the unserious proposals put forward by Russian leaders over the past months, which reveal their intent to prolong the war across the entire Ukrainian territory for as long as they can and as long as they are allowed to.

We call on the European Union and its Member States to remain united and steadfast in their political, economic, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine until a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is secured in full accordance with international law and the will and aspirations of the Ukrainian people."

Joint statement by:

• the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Russia, MEP Ville NIINISTÖ,
• the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, MEP Mounir SATOURI,
• the Co-Chair of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, MEP David MCALLISTER,
• the Co-Chair of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, MEP Barry ANDREWS.

on the ceasing of activities by Russian independent election monitoring movement Golos.

Brussels, 11 July 2025, "This week, Russian independent election monitoring movement Golos announced that it is ceasing its activities. This follows the sentencing in May of its co-chair Grigory Melkonyants to five years in prison. We expressed deep concern about the verdict at the time. The cessation of activities by Golos is yet another result of the severe crackdown on civil society and independent voices in Russia.

For 25 years, Golos was a pillar of civil society in Russia, organising independent observation of elections by citizens and defending voters' rights. In line with their growing authoritarianism and dwindling respect for human rights, the Russian authorities have become increasingly intolerant of election watchdogs and dissenting voices.

We call on them to release Mr Melkonyants and all political prisoners immediately and to repeal repressive legislation. The European Parliament will continue to stand firm in support of Russians striving for democracy in their country."

Joint statement by:

• the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Russia, MEP Ville NIINISTÖ,
• the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, MEP Mounir SATOURI,
• the Co-Chair of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, MEP David MCALLISTER,
• the Co-Chair of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, MEP Barry ANDREWS.

on the sentencing of Golos Co-Chair Grigory Melkonyants by a Russian court.

Brussels, 16 May 2025, Ville Niinistö, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Russia, Mounir Satouri Human Rights Subcommittee Chair, David McAllister and Barry Andrews, co-Chairs of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group condemn the sentencing of Golos co-Chair Grigory Melkonyants by Russian court to five years of imprisonment. We are deeply concerned by the sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants whose only 'offence' was to defend the right to free and fair elections in Russia. We condemn and deplore this verdict as yet another demonstration of the severe crackdown on civil society and independent voices in Russia, to silence any dissent through repression and intimidation. We call on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Melkonyants, as well as all other political prisoners.

In a joint statement, leading MEPs also stress that Europe's security architecture cannot be discussed without the active involvement of the EU and its member states.

The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister (EPP, Germany), the Chair of the delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, Pekka Toveri (EPP, Finland), the Chair of the delegation for relations with the U.S., Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy), the Chair of the delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Ville Niinistö (The Greens/EFA, Finland), the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for Ukraine, Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany), the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for the U.S., Michał Szczerba (EPP, Poland) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs' standing rapporteur for Russia, Sandra Kalniete (EPP, Latvia) issued the following statement on Wednesday.

"Taking note of recent statements and developments, including the preliminary talks held yesterday in Saudi Arabia among representatives of the United States of America and the Russian Federation, we reiterate that no peace in Ukraine can be negotiated without the full participation of Ukraine's democratically elected leadership and the backing of its people. Any settlement that excludes Ukraine or undermines its legitimate aspirations will be neither just nor viable.[...]