MEPs Set to Approve €90B Ukraine Aid

In a significant move scheduled for today, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are poised to approve a substantial financial assistance package for Ukraine. Set for a vote at noon, the package includes a €90 billion support loan aimed at bolstering Ukraine amid ongoing challenges. This development forms part of the broader adjustments to the EU’s Ukraine Facility and a critical amendment to the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework to utilize its headroom as a loan guarantee and address the associated debt servicing costs.

Today’s agenda also features a debate on enhancing EU competitiveness, initiated at 9:00 AM. With the presence of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cyprus’s Deputy European Affairs Minister Marilena Raouna, MEPs will discuss urgent actions needed to amplify EU competitiveness, deepen the single market, and reduce living costs. This discussion seeks to transform the recommendations of the 2024 Draghi report into tangible outcomes.

Further, the plenary session will address varied critical topics throughout the day. At approximately 14:00, discussions will commence on the rule of law in Slovakia, particularly focusing on the controversial abolition of the Whistleblower Protection Office. Additionally, MEPs will deliberate on the EU’s forthcoming anti-poverty strategy and strategic defense partnerships. Other debates will scrutinize global human rights issues, including the situation in Uganda, Iran, and Türkiye. These discussions underscore the EU Parliament’s continued commitment to addressing both internal and international policy issues comprehensively.