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15 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 FEBRUARY 2022 EUROPE These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. MEPs in Kiev pledge unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty and integrity SEBASTIAN VASSALLO A high-level delegation of the European Parliament travelled to Ukraine amid the current se- curity crisis. David McAllister (EPP, chair of foreign affairs committee) and Natalie Loiseau (Renew, subcommittee of foreign af- fairsm, security and defence committee) gave a brief press conference from Kiev, where they expressed the EU's sup- port for Ukrainian sovereignty and integrity and emphasised the "unprecedented" cost Rus- sian president Vladimir Putin would pay for his continued aggression against Ukraine. Nine members from the Eu- ropean Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and Secu- rity and Defence Subcommit- tee, met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk as well as other Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations. McAllister said the MEPs were there to gather factu- al elements to better evaluate the situation from a clear, on- the-ground perspective. "We express the European Parlia- ment's unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty and integrity. Europe is united in its condemnation of Russia's actions toward Ukraine and the attempts to undermine EU security." McAllister and Loiseau also expressed concerns over un- lawful Russian naval activity in the sea of Azov and the im- plications it was having for the Ukrainian people. "No coun- try should threaten another country and that his position and the EU's position was that this conflict can only be solved through diplomatic dialogue. The EU will be engaged in find- ing a diplomatic solution and lowering tensions," McAllister said. Loiseau pointed out how Ukraine was under military, economic and psychological pressure and commended the resolve of the people "We are impressed by the resilience and calm of the Ukrainian popula- tion. This is the way to address intimidation." She also warned that where Russia chose to isolate itself Ukraine had fostered many friendships. "You cannot pres- sure a sovereign state… You cannot discuss Ukrainian se- curity without Ukraine and you cannot discuss EU security without the EU." Loiseau said that while the EU stands ready to create the con- ditions for a diplomatic path toward de-escalation. They are equally prepared, should Rus- sia attack Ukraine militarily, "to levy unprecedented sanc- tions." Fielding questions, the MEPs were asked about comments from the Polish prime minister that Germany's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Russia would be "handing Putin a loaded gun". The two MEPs responded that aside from the numerous resolutions upheld regarding this situation, "member states are discussing what to do in the case of military aggression." "Military aggression would create new conditions which would put Nord Stream 2 in question again," Loiseau said. Besides Kiev, the delegation visited Mariupol, a city and strategic port in the southeast of Ukraine on the Sea of Azov, very close to the contact line. Meetings were held with the Mariupol field office of the Eu- ropean Union Advisory Mis- sion (EUAM), and with the municipal and port authorities. European Parliament determined to play full role on unified European position and showing solidarity with Ukrainian citizens