A reflection on my #1 priority in the European Parliament

Ukraine fights for the values our Union was founded on and protects us from Russian aggression. If Russia wins, more war will follow. War is terrible. Even though I am a strong advocate for more defence spending, I believe that every euro spent on a tank is a euro not spent on hospitals, schools or windmills. But Putin aims to destroy the EU so we have to prevent him from doing that by creating a credible and autonomous European deterrence. 

The US is not just retracting and unreliable, but even plots to destroy the EU. Trump cosies up to Putin, undermines our democracies and threatens to annex Greenland. So this is also a European coming of age story. As Donald Tusk said:

“Why are 500 million Europeans begging 300 million Americans for protection from 140 million Russians who have been unable to overcome 50 million Ukrainians for three years?"

But European governments reacted too slowly or not at all; out of fear or unwillingness to act. This is why we have been pushing for:

• A no-fly zone in Western Ukraine to protect civilians from Russian missiles.

• The full seizure of the frozen Russian assets to make the aggressor pay.

• An ambitious European Defence to make sure Europe can defend itself.

• A concrete European plan for victory to end the war on just and lasting terms.

• EU membership for Ukraine to give both Ukrainians and Europeans a positive future.

In December, after the election of the orange man across the sea, we warned European governments they needed to come up with a plan for peace before Trump threw Ukraine under the bus. In February, we travelled to Ukraine for the second time to commemorate three years of war and, after the great betrayal by Trump and Vance of Zelensky in the White House, we warned European governments that we needed to take charge of our own continent’s defence. In June, after Rutte called Trump ‘’daddy’’, and NATO allies agreed on a massive new 5% target on security spending, we warned European governments that money alone isn’t enough. It’s about how we spent it.

For a moment, it seemed like Europeans, led by the European Commission, France and the United Kingdom, finally woke up and were ready to take our continent’s future in our own hands. The REARM Europe plan, now called Readiness 2030, brought some initiative from the European level, but it isn’t set-up well enough. A ‘’coalition of the willing’’ planned to send a reassurance force to Ukraine, to defend a future ceasefire from Russian aggression. But Trump refused to support it, so Europe was afraid to go at it alone. Since then, Russia has used chemical weapons, has continued to batter Ukrainian cities after Trump asked him nicely to stop, and even Laos is considering sending troops to help Putin.

The coalition is able, but not yet willing. European leaders, secure Europe’s future!
This Thursday, on the 10th of July, the coalition of the willing meets again in London, for the first time since May. This is our chance to make it clear that Europeans will secure their own future. And that security begins in Ukraine.

So, European leaders, take charge and make a concrete plan to restore peace in Europe! 

First, put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. 

• Seize 300 billion of Russian frozen assets, investing them in Ukraine’s defence; 

• Double existing military aid and send a new package, funded by the new 5% targets;

• Expand the ‘’Danish Model’’: scale Ukraine’s own defence industry with EU investments;

• Offer direct support on the ground, including training and non-combat tasks; 

• Set up a no-fly zone in Western Ukraine to secure the skies from Russian missiles.

Then, reach a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace. 

• Make it clear to Trump that Ukraine, backed by Europe, is an equal negotiation partners;

• Let Ukrainians decide if they want to refuse to legally recognise any loss of territory; 

• Set a deadline for a ceasefire, followed by massive sanctions if Russia fails to comply;

• Provide meaningful security guarantees, through a European reassurance force; 

• No normalisation of ties with Putin.

Finally, unlock Europe’s potential through Ukrainian success. 

• Reconstruct the Ukrainian economy, also offering huge opportunities to the EU; 

• Accelerate EU integration of Ukraine, with mutual benefits even before full membership;

• Make an equitable deal on Ukrainian resources for a shared green transition;

• Start the creation of a European army;

• Reform the EU to speak with one voice.

Lastly, my personal emphasis has been on support for Ukraine because I think it's where I can make the most impactful contributions due to my knowledge and responsibilities in the EP. However, it feels odd to write such a large piece about Ukraine and the importance of upholding European values without mentioning the war in Gaza. The unpunished war crimes of Israel in Gaza are also decimating the international rules based order and the values we hold high. Europe has been hypocritical at least and complicit at worst. As the spokesperson for Volt on foreign affairs in the European parliament, I have spoken up about that many times in the past year as well.

All the best,

Reinier van Lanschot

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