The European Parliament called on NATO to invite Ukraine to the Alliance

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging NATO countries to admit Ukraine to the Alliance. In the document, passed on June 15 with 425 votes in favor, 38 against, and 42 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament emphasize that they expect the "accession process to start after the end of the war and be completed as soon as possible." This information is stated on the European Parliament's website.

Until Ukraine achieves full membership in the EU, its members, together with NATO allies and like-minded partners, must closely cooperate with Ukraine to develop temporary frameworks for security guarantees that should be implemented immediately after the war, according to the Members of the European Parliament. The Parliament emphasizes that Ukraine's integration into both NATO and the EU will strengthen regional and global security and enhance the ties between Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic community.

In addition to this statement, the European Parliament recognized the sabotage of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station dam as a war crime. "Members of the European Parliament strongly condemn the destruction of the Kakhovka dam by Russia on June 6, which is a war crime and has caused massive floods and an ecological catastrophe, as well as ecocide in Ukraine. All those responsible for war crimes, including the destruction of the dam, will be held accountable under international law," the statement says.

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that Ukraine's membership in NATO is an "objective need." Previously, he also acknowledged that during the Russian aggression, Ukraine cannot become a NATO member but requires specific security guarantees.

The European Parliament also hopes that negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU membership can begin this year. "Members of the European Parliament express hope for a positive recommendation from the European Commission when Ukraine successfully fulfills the seven steps outlined in the Commission's conclusion. They demand a clear path to start accession negotiations, which, with sufficient support, can begin as early as this year," the document states.

Parliamentarians also call for a comprehensive and adequate package of measures from the European Union to support the recovery of Ukraine, focusing on immediate, medium-term, and long-term assistance, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the country.