Kalniete: Ukraina ir vairogs, kas Eiropu un cilvēci sargā no trešā pasaules kara

To emphasize the European Union's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, the European Parliament held an extraordinary session today, marking four years of Russian war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament remotely from Kyiv.

MEP Sandra Kalniete (EPP Group) believes that Europeans have done a lot to support Ukraine, and since the US has stopped military aid, it is the EU that is financing Ukraine's self-defense. At the same time, the MEP acknowledged that European aid is still not proportional to how much Ukraine helps us.

"Ukraine is strong and has not given up for 1,461 days. Ukraine currently has the strongest army in Europe. With unmatched experience. With innovations and technologies on the battlefield. And most importantly – with the will to fight. And to defend its country, values, and freedom. Ukraine is a shield that protects Europe and humanity from a third world war. It is Europe's duty and strategic interest to strengthen Ukraine's self-defense. Ukraine must be armed, provided with the necessary weapons, anti-aircraft missiles, and ammunition. We must ensure that Ukraine has the capacity to attack deep into Russia," emphasizes Sandra Kalniete.

She also again stresses the need to move forward more quickly with Ukraine's accession to the EU. "Ukraine will become a member of the European Union. Even if one country is currently blocking the start of negotiations. We must be creative and politically courageous. Ukraine is so important to European security that it must be admitted to the EU as a matter of urgency. We must apply a reverse enlargement process, whereby, depending on the conclusion of the negotiation chapters, the country's rights and obligations are gradually increased until it becomes a full member state," says the Member of the European Parliament.

Sandra Kalniete is one of the members of the European Parliament's informal Group of Friends of Ukraine, which, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's war of aggression, has issued a joint statement highlighting the heroism of the Ukrainian people and advocating for Ukraine's future in Europe.

STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT on the fourth anniversary of the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian people to defend themselves against Russia’s war of aggression and Ukraine’s European future. Brussels, 24 February 2026.

 “Today, we, the Friends of European Ukraine in the European Parliament, stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as we commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, and brutal full-scale invasion. We stand with the families who have lost their loved ones, lighting candles in remembrance of the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom and in defence of democratic Europe.

We honour the strength, unity, and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of twelve years of Russian aggression—an aggression that began with attempts to undermine Ukraine’s sovereign choice for European integration and with the illegal occupation of Crimea and parts of the Donbas region.

We reaffirm that Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union. We remain committed to working closely with Ukraine to support its path toward EU membership and the fulfilment of accession criteria. Implementing reforms amid war and devastation is extraordinarily challenging, yet it represents a powerful investment in a prosperous, democratic future. It is also one of the most meaningful ways to honour the memory of the Heavenly Hundred and the Ukrainian defenders who continue to fight for their country today.

Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, residential areas, and civilian facilities—particularly during harsh winter conditions—once again demonstrate that Russia is not seeking a just and lasting peace. Any peace agreement must be acceptable to the Ukrainian people and must fully restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It must ensure the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by Russia, secure the release of prisoners of war and civilians illegally detained, and guarantee accountability for war crimes and crimes of aggression. Furthermore, any peace settlement must be underpinned by credible security guarantees from the European and international community to deter further military or hybrid aggression against Ukraine and Europe.

The European Union and its citizens stand firmly with Ukraine. The EU remains Ukraine’s largest provider of support, and we will continue in this role. We trust that the recently approved €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan will provide essential fiscal stability, address budgetary gaps, and enable the procurement of vital defence capabilities. We continue to strongly deplore the actions of the Hungarian government in obstructing and blocking the EU’s support for Ukraine’s policy line. We reiterate that EU–Ukraine security and defence cooperation must be further strengthened, Ukraine’s airspace better protected, and all necessary defence assistance delivered. A secure and sovereign Ukraine means a secure Europe.
Glory to Ukraine, and our deepest respect and appreciation to its people!”

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MEP Sandra Kalniete works in the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, where she has been appointed as the main rapporteur on Russian issues, as well as in the International Trade Committee and the Culture and Education Committee as a substitute member. Sandra Kalniete has also been confirmed as vice-chair of the new European Parliament Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield.

Sandra Kalniete is the head of the Latvian delegation in the EPP group, shi is also is Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Working Group and works on issues on the agenda of the Committee on International Trade, including documents on EU financial and economic assistance to Ukraine. Sandra Kalniete also works in the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, and continues her work in the European Parliament's History Group.