In a political resolution adopted today in Strasbourg, the European Parliament says that in order to deter further Russian attacks, the EU must “contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine”. The country must be empowered to “reject hasty deals that weaken its security in the mid- and long-term and risk subjecting it and other European countries to renewed Russian aggression in the future”. MEPs are opposed to any attempts to blackmail Ukraine’s leadership into surrendering for the sole purpose of facilitating a so-called “peace deal”. In the resolution, MEPs also stress that “there can be no negotiations on European security without the presence of the EU”, and welcome the launch of a “coalition of the willing” for a potential Europe-led enforcement of a peace agreement. MEPs also criticise the US administration’s appeasement of Russia and targeting of its transatlantic allies. “Ukraine’s future is as a member of the EU”, MEPs go on to say, calling for the acceleration of accession talks. “While urging the EU to prepare for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction with new funding”, MEPs point out that Russia “must pay for the massive damage caused in Ukraine”. Russian sovereign assets immobilised under EU sanctions must be confiscated and used for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.