“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, Ukraine’s freedom is Europe’s freedom, and Ukraine’s future is in Europe”. This was said by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, as she opened an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels today focussed on the fourth anniversary of the Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greeted the MEPs via video from Kiev, thanking them for their unwavering support, and stated: “we never chose this war, we did not provoke it and we are doing everything we can to stop it”. Harsh words on Vladimir Putin’s “mentally unstable dictatorship” that poses an aggressive threat to both its neighbours and to Europe. That’s why credible security guarantees are required for Ukraine to prevent Russia from advancing its aggression in Europe. Zelenskyy asked the EU for a clear date for joining the EU, without which nothing would “prevent Russia from advancing its aggression in Europe”. He also called for strong sanctions, for an end to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, the shutting out of Russian banks from Europe, clamping down on sanctions evasion and Moscow’s shadow fleet, and denying Russian war criminals’ entry to Europe. Then, the European Parliament passed a non-legislative resolution by a vast majority in which it strongly condemns Russia’s aggression, demands Russia immediately cease its military actions, withdraw from all internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, and release detainees and deported civilians and children. Parliament calls for increased sanctions against Russia and for continued decoupling from Russian energy. And it asks for a peace agreement backed by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, while the MEPs also voice concern about the current US approach to peace negotiations that appears to prioritise short-term deal-making instead of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on international law.