Speeches

The minutes and the texts adopted of the sittings of 12 and 24 February 2026 are available. Are there any comments? No? Therefore, the minutes are approved.

We move straight to the vote on the joint motion for a resolution, tabled by five groups, on four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine (see minutes, item 9.1).

The next item is the debate on Parliament's statement on four years of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and European contributions to a just peace and sustained security for Ukraine (2026/2599(RSP)). I would like to inform Members that for this debate there is no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted. I would also like to welcome all the dignitaries present today, and the 120 members of national parliaments who are with us today in the gallery. Welcome, dear colleagues. Dear Members, today we mark four years since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, as tanks rolled across European borders and a war descended on our continent, Russia thought they could take Ukraine in days. But Ukrainians proved them wrong. They keep going, refusing to give in, standing defiant in the face of almost unimaginable daily hardships through the depths of gruelling winters, even as drones fall indiscriminately and Russian missiles target women and children. That is why today we honour the bravery of the Ukrainian people. We reaffirm our concrete support, and we recommit our efforts for a real and lasting peace. We will be joined remotely in a few moments by President Zelenskyy once again in this Chamber. When I first met with the President in Kyiv, I promised him that this Parliament would support Ukraine. And four years on – thanks to your efforts, all of us together, dear colleagues – we have not let Ukraine down. Because we know that when we stand together, Ukraine and Europe stand strong. Our actions are not solely based on altruism. We act because we know what is at stake for all of us. And I am proud of what we have done together: whether by supporting Ukrainian society by delivering EUR 200 billion of support to help keep everyday life possible for millions of people; whether it is delivering generators to keep the lights and heating on in hospitals, in schools, in bomb shelters; whether it was supercharging Ukraine's defence capabilities to help those on the front lines and their families at home. And we will keep up stepping on our support. Later today, we will sign into law a EUR 90 billion loan to shore up essential public services and keep Ukraine's defences strong, sending a clear message to every Ukrainian: your security is Europe's security, your freedom is Europe's freedom and your future is in Europe. And we will keep working to make that happen. (Applause) So now we will connect with President Zelenskyy. Dear Volodomyr, the floor is yours.

The final draft agenda as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 12 February 2026, pursuant to Rule 163, has been distributed. I have received no request for changes to the final agenda. Therefore, the agenda is adopted.

Good morning to you all. I have a couple of announcements. First of all, following the appointment of Tom Berendsen to the Dutch Government, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of his seat from 23 February 2026, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Following the appointment of Daniel Caspary as a member of the European Court of Auditors, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of his seat from 1 March 2026, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

The next vote is on the regulation implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027 (see minutes, item 7.1). I have received a request for adjournment of this vote. Pursuant to Rule 206(4), a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold may present a motion calling for a vote to be adjourned.

Following the election of Antonio Decaro as President of the Region of Puglia, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of his seat from 2 February 2026, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. The competent authorities of Italy have also notified me of the election of Georgia Tramacere to the European Parliament, replacing Antonio Decaro with effect from 11 February 2026. I welcome our new colleague and recall that she takes her seat in Parliament and its bodies in full enjoyment of her rights, pending the verification of her credentials.

The next item is the address by Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly. It is truly a pleasure to welcome to this House the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock. For decades, multilateralism, embodied in the United Nations, has helped lift millions of people out of poverty, protect children and the most vulnerable, and save countless lives. It has delivered results that no country could ever have achieved on its own. We don’t say that enough. Eighty years on from the founding of the United Nations, this is a moment to renew our commitment to multilateralism as a force for good in the world – one that keeps us safer, freer and better off. In a more uncertain world, we need to double down on our commitment that cooperation and dialogue between nations delivers better results than confrontation does. That means taking responsibility, being ready to reform, and having the courage to act together, even when it is hard. The European Parliament was built on the belief that cooperation is our greatest strength. And that belief continues to guide our work. President Baerbock, dear Annalena, when the United Nations looks to this House, you will find a partner determined to keep moving forward together.

Would any colleague like to speak against this request? That is not the case. I put the request to the vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) The agenda is therefore adopted. The order of business is thus established. We have now the points of order. I'll go through them as we received them.

The final draft agenda, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 4 February pursuant to Rule 163, has been distributed. I would like to inform you that I have received a request for an urgent procedure. Points of order will be dealt with just after this point. I have received a request for an urgent procedure from the EPP, S&D and Renew groups, pursuant to Rule 170(6), on the following proposal: 'Amending the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027'. The vote on this request will be taken tomorrow. If adopted, the vote will be held on Wednesday. Also, with the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposals for changes to the final draft agenda. The following items will be added to Wednesday's votes: 'Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027' and 'Amending Regulation 2024/792, establishing the Ukraine Facility'. The deadlines are as follows. Amendments: today, 19:00. Splits and separate votes: tomorrow, 16:00. The title of the debate, also on Tuesday morning, will be changed to the following: 'Extreme weather events in particular in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece: European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms'. If there are no objections, these changes are approved and we now move to changes requested by the political groups. For Tuesday, the Renew Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis’ be added as the first point in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 22:00.

The INTA Committee has decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, pursuant to Rule 72(1). The report, which constitutes the mandate for the negotiations, is available on the plenary webpage and the title will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 72(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday 10 February at midnight that the decision be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made within the deadline, the committee may start the negotiations.

I would like to inform you that, pursuant to Rule 160(4) of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, an extraordinary plenary session will be convened on 24 February, in Brussels, to mark four years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The session will start with a debate at 10:15, followed by a voting session at 11:30. Your presence, dear colleagues, would send an important signal as we mark this anniversary.

The EPP and S&D groups have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.