Josep Borrell- Photo © European Union 2022
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Council added another EUR 500m Wednesday to its support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity and protect its civilian population against ongoing Russian aggression.
The two assistance measures agreed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) will allow the EU to further support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and protect the civilian population.
“We will continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression and the unspeakable suffering it is inflicting on the Ukrainian population,” said the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell: ” The additional 500 million under the European Peace Facility is another sign of the EU’s support to the Ukrainian armed forces to defend their territory and their population.”
The agreed assistance measures will finance both the provision of equipment and supplies such as personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel, and military equipment and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes. The duration of the assistance measure is also extended by 12 months.
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability. Russia, and its accomplice Belarus, bear full responsibility for this war of aggression and those responsible will be held to account for their crimes, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian objects.
The European Union demands that Russia ceases its military action and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.
