Debate contributions by Merja KYLLÖNEN

Mr President, the Arctic region is changing faster than any other part of the world. The climate crisis, the intensifying competition from the great powers and the deteriorating security situation require clear common solutions from us. We need to talk about the Arctic now, before others do it for us and past us. We have a clear goal: a stable and secure Arctic, in accordance with international law and sustainable development. This objective will not be achieved without a strong and united European Union. The EU must play a role in the Arctic that reflects the reality of our time, not as a bystander, but as a forerunner. It must lead climate action, strengthen multilateral cooperation and defend the rights of indigenous peoples through concrete decisions, not just statements. The future of the Arctic is determined by one question: Can we work together? We provide know-how, but we need the political, economic and diplomatic strength of the EU so that the Arctic can remain an area of peace, sustainability and shared responsibility. This is the task of our generation.

Madam President, the war in Sudan has escalated into one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of our time, and yet it remains among the most neglected. The European Union cannot look away. I urge the Council and the Commission to act: first, rapidly scale up humanitarian aid; second, secure immediate and unconditional humanitarian access ⁠– without that, no aid can reach people in desperate need; and third, cut off the external enablers of this conflict through targeted sanctions, arms embargoes and sustained diplomatic pressure. If we fail to confront those who are financing and arming this war, we will only treat the symptoms, not the causes. The people of Sudan are not asking for miracles: only for safety, for food, for medicine and for change to survive and live in peace.

Mr President, we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We have all heard and repeated this promise, but words alone will not stop missiles, they will not cost the necessary weapons systems, they will not save lives, they will not rebuild cities. One of our strongest tools is still to be used: 250 billion euros of Russian state money frozen across Europe. These aren't just numbers. They are the assets of the country that started the war, resting in our banks at the same time as the Ukrainians defend their country and the principles on which Europe is built. Some say that the use of these funds could undermine Europe's credibility. But let's be honest. There is a much greater risk that Ukraine will fall and, along with it, Europe's credibility will also fall. This is not a legal issue. This is a test of political will. If we are able to freeze these funds, we will also be able to use them to defend Ukraine, to rebuild Ukraine and also to build the future of peace in Europe. By doing so, we will also send a clear message. The attack comes at a price and Europe stands strong when its values are attacked. The means exist. It's time for them now. We need the will to act.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Europe's automotive industry stands at a crossroad. Our goal – to achieve climate neutrality – is beyond question. But the path we choose must be guided by reason, innovation and fairness. A blanket ban on internal combustion engines risks doing the opposite. It penalises technologies rather than emissions, discourages investment in new synthetic and renewable fuels, and weakens the global competitiveness of Europe's car industry – an industry that employs millions and drives much of our research and exports. True progress comes not from banning technologies, but from unleashing innovation across all technologies that reduce carbon. Electric mobility is essential, yes – but so are low-carbon fuels, hydrogen hybrid solutions, new fuels and continuous efficiency improvements. Climate policy should set targets, not dictate tools. A technologically neutral approach keeps Europe at the forefront of clean mobility. Let's lead with innovation, not prohibition.

Madam President, dear colleagues, recent Russian violations of EU Member States' airspace and critical infrastructure are not isolated incidents. They are deliberate acts testing our unity, our resilience and our credibility. Each drone incursion, each cyberattack, each interference attempt carries a clear message: to divide, to intimidate and to erode trust in the European project and our support to Ukraine. Our response must be equally clear and united: Europe cannot afford hesitation or fragmentation. We must strengthen our collective defence, deepen intelligence cooperation and ensure that hybrid attacks are met with real consequences, not just statements. At the same time, unity means more than deterrence; it means political, technological and moral solidarity. Protecting airspace or energy grids is not only a matter of national security, but of shared European sovereignty. The credibility of our deterrence depends not on the strength of any single nation, but on the certainty that an attack on one is an attack on all. So let us respond not with fear, but with resolve.

Mr President, Commissioner, GPS interference kills security. Safety is a critical core of aviation and maritime transport. The problem has been before us for years. Unfortunately, we are far too slow and naive in our response to the influence of external powers. I am concerned that, while our diverse European system does guarantee democracy, in some areas we would need less bureaucracy and committees and more rapid action. We need to be able to make stronger and faster changes with all Member States. It is a sine qua non for the whole of Europe if we are to survive this battle. Thank you to the Commission for your efforts, but I hope that we will be able to coordinate better in the future so that we can get things moving more quickly.

Mr President, NATO and the EU are in the midst of a major transformation. It is easy to say that a certain percentage is added to the defense. However, this must not be done without preparation and a common picture of the situation, which also outlines what and what kind of actions need funding in concrete terms. In addition to defence readiness, security is energy self-sufficiency, nutrition self-sufficiency and a sustainable social policy in which education, job opportunities and everyday services secure well-being and mentally strong people. NATO is, above all, a military alliance that the EU is not. It is true that, through NATO, many elements of defence policy are also on the EU's property, but we must not start competing for who is most on the side of hard military action. Security is much broader than the military dimension. The EU is able to independently strengthen the elements that NATO also needs. For example, the environment, security of supply and industrial policy are areas where the EU has significant competences and NATO does not. By acting wisely, the EU can also strengthen NATO, because we have the elements that bring this support.

Mr President, the pursuit of peace is not a weakness. It has been the cornerstone of European construction. However, lasting peace in Ukraine requires a strong foundation. It calls for the strengthening of Ukraine's own defence capabilities and bold European diplomacy. A lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if Russia meets at the negotiating table a strong and united Ukraine, underpinned by the whole of Europe. Ukraine deserves a peace that is not based on oppression, but on justice. Therefore, the EU should harness Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine. This would be a concrete demonstration of the support that Ukraine needs on its way to EU membership. I call on the Commission and the Council, in addition to a strong, independent defence and security policy, to put diplomacy back at the heart of European foreign policy. It is our duty to the Ukrainians as well as to the security of all of us. We must be active negotiators and not remain on the edge of the playing field as the next player to be negotiated by others.

Mr President, Kosovo has gone a long way from the shadows of war to peace, from instability to democracy. Its people have shown that there is will: The desire to build a more stable and peaceful future. In recent years, progress in strengthening the rule of law and democracy has been encouraging. But we still have plenty of work to do. Minority rights and the fight against corruption require constant vigilance and genuine commitment from us, cooperation with Kosovo decision-makers and the people of Kosovo. The EU must be involved in ensuring that the security situation in Kosovo is stable enough, not only for the accession path, but above all to safeguard people's daily lives. The European Union must deliver on its promise. The door remains open to those who meet the common criteria, not selectively, but fairly. Freedom of movement, human rights and peace are not privileges. They are fundamental rights – including for Kosovars, including those whose voices are often not heard. Building bridges instead of walls. I would like to warmly thank Chief Negotiator Terra for his very competent and constructive cooperation. It was a pleasure to do this work together. Let us continue – Commission, Council, Parliament – together.

Mr President, the Lukashenka regime not only blatantly violates the fundamental rights of its own citizens, it also threatens regional stability and security. The climate of violence, persecution and fear in Belarus is the result of an authoritarian regime that does not shy away from the means to stay in power. When democracy is being eroded in one area of Europe, we cannot just be concerned, we need stronger sanctions and tougher sanctions. We must increase the pressure for the release of political prisoners and stand by independent media and human rights defenders. Every silenced voice is a loss for all of us who believe in democracy and the rule of law. It is our duty to ensure that they are not left alone. The European Union must be the force that breaks authoritarian leaders and the climate of fear by building hope and stability.

Mr President, Commissioner, connectivity, capacity, co-operation are key issues in the development of transport throughout Europe. The transport network, the infrastructure networks in general, are at the heart of the competitiveness and development of the whole of Europe. Nothing happens without effective connections on land, underground, at sea, on inland waterways, in the air, in space and even in between. In parallel, self-sufficient, alternative fuel production, their infrastructure, the development of the transport information system and measures to promote efficient infrastructure management and use are needed. It would be insane for the EU to give up network coordination and the Connecting Europe Facility. TEN-T is the main EU-wide network that ensures that the main modes of transport play together and are able to move at all times, in all places. Maintain it, build cooperation with military mobility, but maintain cooperation and networks and financial instruments.

Mr President, security is never self-evident. It requires continuous work and strong anticipation. The Preparedness Union Strategy presented by the Commission includes concrete actions to strengthen Europe’s security at large. But strategy alone is not enough. Building a preparedness union is not a sprint. The safety picture shall be broad. It's not just military defense. It is a marathon sport that genuinely looks at all the challenges of security of supply. This requires long-term implementation and, above all, adequate funding, otherwise the plans will remain on paper. All the strategies in the documents, whether they are about defence, internal security or preparedness, must be a whole. European security is a coherent package. We must ensure that these policies translate into concrete actions and permanently strengthen the EU's security structures. Only then will we build a contingency union and a stronger Europe in a holistic way.

Mr President, dear colleagues, history will remember how we responded in this moment. Will we stand firmly with Ukraine or will we waver? The answer must be clear. The European Union must step up. We have seen what is happening in the United States. Europe is the continent that Ukraine trusts. Within the EU, we hold over EUR 200 billion in frozen Russian assets, most of which are government bonds. Unlocking these resources for Ukraine would strengthen not only its defence but also its positions in negotiations. It is true that there are risks and legal obstacles associated with the transfer of these funds. As a Finn, living next to Russia, I cannot afford to hide behind legal technicalities. For this reason, I demand solutions that will allow us to transfer the funds to Ukraine, or who will be the next?

Mr President, dear Commissioner, look to the future. Connect security of supply, transport, mobility and new defence policy to secure Europe. We do not need new European troops. We need smart use of existing powers, smart cooperation with supportive NATO countries. We need technological cooperation, smart use of European taxpayers' money, workable security of supply and wider perspective to security policy. Check out TEN-T maps. Build Arctic knowledge, logistical security of supply throughout Europe. Check weak links, analyse, understand dual use also in transport and act wisely. Never lose the connectivity in the EU – it is our security wide backbone. Workable defence needs smart use of money and resilient bases, security of supply, transport, energy, fuels, food, water, healthcare, mentally strong people, a resilient Europe, a new way of defence thinking. Build a functional supply chain together with strong old companies, with smart new companies. Together we can solve the problems, and I trust you to lead the forces, Commissioner.

Diplomacy really did not help Finland when our neighbour Russia decided to come across the border. The US has also been a long-term partner, but now it seems that President Trump is using the divide-and-rule model known since Roman times to get China off Russia's side to divide Europe and oppress others under its own power. One should not side with those who dream of Tsarist power or world empire. Mr Toveri, how do we find European cooperation and understand that the situation is that only a united and strong Europe, which covers its powers in all areas of activity, will survive?

Mr President, imagine a song costing you your life. Imagine a single verse leading to a death sentence. This is the reality for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian singer sentenced to death. His case is no exception. In Nigeria, accusations of blasphemy fuel violence, mob attacks and even illegal executions. We cannot stay silent. Blasphemy laws not only violate human rights, but also create a culture of fear and oppression. We call on Nigeria to release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, investigate mob violence and abolish these repressive laws once and for all. The EU must be a force for human rights. We must be able to stand up against human rights violations. We must defend everyone's right to speak, to believe and to sing freely.

Dear colleague Aaltola, I just want to ask from you that today here we have spoken about the war for three years, but Russia took Crimea already in 2014. How do you see it? Were we really too slow to act at the first point? Because I think the start point was really when Russia took Crimea already in 2014, and it's more than 10 years now.

Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, personalities, today we address the urgent and deeply concerning case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The arrest and possible death sentence of Mr Wondo is repression against those who dare to speak truth to power. This creates an environment of fear and erodes the fundamental freedoms that are the bedrock of any democratic society. As Members of the European Parliament, we must strongly condemn these actions. Let us not forget that our actions here send a message beyond these walls. By standing with Jean-Jacques Wondo, we reaffirm the EU's unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These are not just European values. These are universal ones deserving of our full support wherever they are under threat.

Mr President, the military threat, hybrid influencing in the Baltic Sea and electoral influencing by tech giants: Europe faces many threats. We must be able to respond to these threats with credibility and determination. The strengthening of security and defence must take into account society as a whole, from civilians to defence. The EU must be able to stand on its own feet without dependencies on external technology or US military support. For too long we have been relying on the help of an outsider in crisis situations. This will no longer work, as the focus of the United States has shifted away from Europe. We in Finland know that real security must be built by ourselves. The EU must therefore invest in a cross-border defence industry and in the development of overall security. We need to build European security together and independently.

Mr President, the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan is critical. The ruling regime has systematically suppressed the opposition and silenced the voices of the people. In the run-up to the November elections, the Social Democratic Party was silenced and its 26-year-old leader, Temirlan Sultanbekov, was arrested. Now he is on hunger strike and his health is deteriorating day by day. Silencing the opposition and restricting the media's freedom of action are alarming signs of a serious total erosion of democracy. The Russian-style foreign representative law restricts the activities of NGOs and independent media, increasing pressure on critical voices and pushing Kyrgyzstan further away from democratic principles. The EU must defend the Kyrgyz people's right to freedom of expression, democracy and fair elections. The suppression of freedom and justice cannot continue. We need to be consistent on the human rights side, not just in speeches. The EU must use its role as a major economic and legal player to prevent regimes violating human rights from winning, not in Kyrgyzstan or anywhere else.

Mr President, the future of European tourism must be built on sustainability, inclusion and continuous renewal. We are known worldwide as a safe, fascinating and responsible travel destination, but this position is not self-evident. You have to earn it over and over again. Today's tourists look forward to experiences that respect the local nature and culture. They prefer sustainable tourism and choose destinations and services that leave as little carbon footprint as possible. In this context, EU-supported sustainable tourism projects have played a key role. They will boost the vitality of the regions and strengthen Europe's brand. This work needs to be continued. Tourism has been shaken by geopolitical crises, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Finland, for example, we have to look for sources of income from tourism elsewhere as tourists disappear from certain areas. Tackling bold new ideas and investing in security is more important than ever to keep Europe the number one destination for tourists.

Mr President, the use of rape as a weapon of war is the lowest evil in humanity. In Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and many other places, children and women in particular have been the victims of systematic sexual violence. In war-torn areas, the most vulnerable people are often the most oppressed. This is a cruelty to which the EU must respond decisively. We must ensure that international actors have sufficient resources to combat, prevent and assist the victims of these tragic crimes. EU leadership is measured in action. We need to increase support for specific programmes in crisis areas to combat sexual violence and strengthen legal protection. Every victim has to be something other than a number in the statistics. This is a test of our humanity. We need to do better and act now.

Madam President, the recent cable damage in the Baltic Sea is a concrete reminder of how vulnerable our critical infrastructure really is. The EU must be a united and active actor in order to prevent hybrid influence in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea littoral states, especially Finland, are extremely dependent on functioning connections to the sea. The majority of imports to Finland are brought through the Baltic Sea, and Finland is practically completely dependent on maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea and the infrastructure located there. Eight of the European Union Member States are geographically connected in the Baltic Sea. This is therefore a significant issue for the EU, and it should clearly be considered one of the security policy priorities. Security changes in the Baltic Sea will cause extensive changes in all EU Member States, so securing it is in the interest of the entire EU. The new Commission should actively implement this, as the price we pay if the security situation in the Baltic Sea is jeopardised is too high.