European Parliament passes resolution urging NATO to invite Ukraine to join defense bloc

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday urging NATO to invite Ukraine to join the alliance after the war with Russia is over.

“MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) call on NATO allies to honor their commitment to Ukraine and pave the way for Kyiv to be invited to join the defense alliance,” said a press release issued by the European Parliament following the adoption of the resolution.

The statement said the EU and its member states, along with NATO and “like-minded” partners, must work closely with Ukraine to create a temporary framework for security guarantees regarding Kyiv.

The European Parliament members stressed that this will be implemented immediately after the Russia-Ukraine war, adding that member states must work with Ukraine in this regard until the country achieves full membership.

“Parliament emphasizes that Ukraine’s integration in both NATO and the EU would enhance regional and global security and strengthen the bonds between Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic community,” the statement said.

It stated that European Parliament members expect the “accession process will start after the war is over and be finalized as soon as possible,” as well as a “clear pathway” for Kyiv’s EU accession.

The parliament also condemned the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, calling it a "war crime" that resulted in an "environmental disaster" and "ecocide," according to the statement.

It also accused Russia of being behind the dam explosion, noting that parliament members said “all those responsible for war crimes, including the destruction of the dam, will be held accountable in line with international law.”

Earlier last week, an emergency was declared on both sides of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine's Kherson region after it burst – one side is controlled by Russia and the other by Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine traded blame over the blast, which destroyed part of the dam that supplied water to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.