EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee Adopts Joint Statement on Countering russian Aggression, Supporting Ukraine, and Accelerating EU Integration

On 5 November, Brussels hosted the 19th meeting of the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC), which concluded with the adoption of a joint Final Statement and Recommendations. The meeting was co-chaired by Vadym Halaichuk, Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to the PAC and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, alongside Villy Søvndal, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation.

The Final Statement reflects the shared position of Ukrainian and EU parliamentarians on countering russian aggression, securing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, providing further military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine, holding russia accountable under international law, and accelerating negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.

The document strongly condemns russian aggression, systematic attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, forced mobilization of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories, torture and other violations of international humanitarian law. Special attention is paid to protecting Ukraine's energy system during the 2026–2027 winter period, strengthening air defense, and restoring damaged infrastructure.

Parliamentarians emphasized that any peace agreements must be based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, while ensuring reliable security guarantees. The Statement also underscores the importance of returning Zaporizhizhia Nuclear Power Plant to full Ukrainian sovereign control and strengthening international efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security.

A prominent place in the Statement is dedicated to intensifying sanctions pressure on russia and ensuring its accountability under international law. The PAC called for the more effective application of sanctions, countering their circumvention, strengthening export controls, halting the supply of critical technologies to the russian military-industrial complex, and restricting russian revenues from energy exports, particularly by combating the activities of the shadow fleet. Special emphasis was placed on the need to develop an international compensation mechanism, ensure the operationalization of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and elaborate legal mechanisms for utilizing frozen russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine and repair the damage caused.

In terms of defence cooperation, the PAC agreed on deepening integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, as well as the expansion of joint arms production, procurement, technological partnerships, and the experience exchange, including the sector of UAVs systems and counter-drone capabilities.

One of the central issues of the meeting remained Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The PAC welcomed the progress achieved in opening the negotiation clusters and called for the swift opening of the remaining clusters, in accordance with Ukraine’s merits and the agreed enlargement methodology. The Committee emphasized the need for predictability in the negotiation process, implementation of reform roadmaps, adherence to the merit-based principle for candidate states, and the prevention of bilateral disputes blocking negotiations. It also supported Ukraine's gradual integration into EU policies, programs, and networks prior to attaining full membership.

Particular attention was paid to the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions, the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, political and media pluralism, and the rights of local self-government and civil society. The Committee emphasized the importance of an inclusive legislative process, inter-institutional coordination among state authorities, and robust parliamentary oversight regarding the implementation of euro-integration commitments.

Regarding future elections in Ukraine, it was stressed that their conduct must comply with the Constitution of Ukraine, national legislation, and international democratic standards, subject to the establishment of proper legal and security conditions. The PAC underscored the importance of preparing electoral legislation well in advance, safeguarding the voting rights of military personnel, internally displaced persons, and Ukrainians abroad, as well as securing technical, financial, and legal-expert support from the EU and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

In the financial section of the Statement, the importance of long-term and predictable support for Ukraine was reaffirmed. Specifically, this includes the implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan mechanism, securing Ukraine’s financial needs for 2027, and ensuring its appropriate funding within the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, particularly in the context of the European Commission’s proposal to allocate up to €100 billion.

Separately, parliamentarians expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian sports community and condemned steps aimed at reinstating russian athletes, teams, and sports officials to international competitions, including under a neutral flag, amidst russia's ongoing aggression. Deep concern was raised over the decisions and initiatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regarding the participation of russian representatives in international events. Parliamentarians emphasized the risk of normalizing russian aggression against the backdrop of the deaths of Ukrainian athletes and coaches and the destruction of sports infrastructure, welcomed the position of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association to refuse matches against russian teams, and called for maintaining restrictions on russia's participation in international sports, supporting Ukrainian athletes, and restoring sports facilities.

Significant attention was paid to strengthening the parliamentary dimension of European integration. The PAC acknowledged the work of the Verkhovna Rada under martial law and supported the deepening of cooperation between the parliamentary committees of Ukraine and the European Parliament across all six negotiation clusters. This includes regular expert consultations, parliamentary monitoring of reforms, and expanding the Verkhovna Rada's participation in European parliamentary cooperation formats. The importance of engagement with the national parliaments of EU Member States was also highlighted, particularly within the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC).

The PAC remains convinced that the enlargement process must be accompanied by the earliest and closest possible involvement of Ukraine in the functioning of EU institutions, as proposed in European Parliament resolutions—notably through granting Ukraine observer status in the European Parliament. The Joint Statement calls on the EP to work out practical mechanisms for the gradual expansion of Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada representatives' participation in relevant parliamentary activities and political discussions prior to accession—specifically considering the possibility of granting observer status. The Representative Office of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should play a key role in facilitating the exchange of information on legislative initiatives and deepening inter-parliamentary ties, by analogy with the European Parliament Office in Kyiv.

The document also underscores the importance of EU support through the Ukraine2EU program—one of the flagship Team Europe initiatives aimed at strengthening Ukraine's institutional capacity for EU accession and the implementation of euro-integration reforms.