Charles Michel – Photo © European Union 2022
(VERSAILLES) – EU leaders at the end of a two-day summit Friday adopted a declaration outlining plans to bolster the EU’s defence capabilities, reduce energy dependencies and build a more robust economic base.
The leaders demanded that “Russia ceases its military action and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity sovereignty and independence.”
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine ‘grossly violates international law’, they said, and ‘undermines European and global security and stability’.
The Versailles declaration covers Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and outlines how the EU can live up to its responsibilities and protect EU citizens, values and democracies and the European model.
EU leaders stated that ‘Russia, with its accomplice Belarus, bears full responsibility’ and that those responsible would be held accountable, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians. In this respect, they also welcomed the decision of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation, and called for the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to be ensured immediately.
The leaders stressed their determination to increase the pressure on Russia and Belarus even further and ensure that the sanctions which have been adopted are fully implemented. The EU has adopted significant sanctions and is ready to move quickly with further sanctions.
They commended the people of Ukraine for defending their country and the shared values of freedom and democracy. They stated that the EU and its member states would continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support, as well as support for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine.
EU member states are offering temporary protection to all war refugees from Ukraine and are committed to continue to show solidarity and provide support to the refugees and the countries hosting them.
The EU calls on Russia to fully abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law; ensure safe and humanitarian access to the victims and internally displaced persons in Ukraine; allow safe passage for civilians who want to leave.
On defence, the leaders said: “To better protect citizens and equip the EU to face fast-emerging challenges, the EU must boost investment in defence capabilities and innovative technologies. To this end, leaders agreed to: substantially increase defence expenditure; develop further incentives for collaborative investments in joint projects and procurement; invest in strategic enablers such as cybersecurity and space-based connectivity; foster synergies between civilian, defence and space research and innovation; invest in critical and emerging technologies and innovation for security and defence.
The leaders also asserted the need to: protect against hybrid warfare; strengthen cyber-resilience; protect critical infrastructure; fight disinformation; enhance the security and defence dimension of space industries; accelerate military mobility efforts in the EU.
At the summit, the EU leaders discussed how to ensure security of energy supplies, in the light of the current situation in Ukraine as well as the 2050 target of climate neutrality.
In this respect, leaders agreed to phase out EU dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports by: reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels faster, taking into account national circumstances; diversifying supplies and routes, including through liquefied natural gas and biogas; further developing an EU hydrogen market; accelerating the development of renewables; improving the interconnection of European electricity and gas networks; reinforcing EU contingency planning for security of supply; improving energy efficiency and promoting circularity.
The EU will continue to work on ensuring sufficient levels of gas storage and coordinated refilling operations, monitoring and optimising electricity markets, channelling investments in energy systems and enhancing connectivity in the immediate neighbourhood.
The leaders will also consider concrete options to address the impact of increased energy prices on citizens and businesses, especially vulnerable citizens and SMEs, including at the next meeting of the European Council on 24-25 March 2022.
