site.btaEuropean Parliament Groups Support Plans to Strengthen European Defence

The groups in the European Parliament support the intentions to improve European defence, spokespersons of the parliamentary political parties announced at a press conference in Brussels Friday. The only group that was not represented and did not express an opinion was "Europe of Sovereign Nations."

The European People's Party (EPP) stated that they have been calling for strengthening EU defence for years.

The Socialists and Democrats welcomed the readiness for rearmament.

Patriots for Europe insisted that EU member states should have a more direct role in making the necessary decisions, welcomed US efforts for peace in Ukraine, and emphasized that the solution must be lasting and fair.

The European Conservatives and Reformists expressed strong support for the EU’s defense initiatives.

The Renew Europe group and the Greens also voiced their support, while the Left insisted that the European Parliament should not be excluded from decisions regarding the allocation of European defence funds and achieving a just peace in Ukraine.

This coming Tuesday, MEPs are expected to discuss the results of Thursday's extraordinary European Council meeting, where decisions on increasing defense spending and continuing support for Kyiv were debated. On Wednesday, they will vote on a resolution calling for the EU to maintain its strong support for Ukraine. On the same day, the European Parliament will discuss the use of frozen Russian assets under European sanctions for Kyiv’s benefit, as well as options for a faster halt of energy supplies from Russia.

On Tuesday, MEPs will also review the European Commission’s proposal for changes to the rules on returning migrants who do not have the right to stay in the EU. On the same day, they will discuss ways to support European automobile manufacturers.