Von der Leyen – Zelensky – Photo © European Union 2023
(KYIV) – In a visit to Kyiv Thursday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by 15 of her Commissioners, announced a new EUR 450 million assistance package for 2023.
The meeting between the College and the government of Ukraine sends a strong signal of the EU’s unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’.
The aid brings the total support made available so far to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s war from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions to around 50 billion. In addition to this, the EU executive says it is working towards a 1 billion contribution to fast recovery.
“With the visit of the College to Kyiv, the EU is sending today a very clear message to Ukraine and beyond about our collective strength and resolve in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression. We will continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. And we will continue to impose a heavy price on Russia until it ceases its aggression. Ukraine can count on Europe to help rebuild a more resilient country, that progresses on its path to join the EU.”
On the eve of the EU-Ukraine Summit, the College to Government meeting in Kyiv co-chaired by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Shmyhal, took stock of the EU’s ongoing support to Ukraine in different areas, including financial, humanitarian, energy, budget support, diplomatic outreach, as well as of the reform efforts by Ukraine to advance on its EU path, and outlined further steps to enhance sectorial cooperation in a number of areas. President von der Leyen also met President Zelensky to discuss key issues on the EU-Ukraine agenda.
The new support package includes 145 million in humanitarian assistance and 305 million in bilateral cooperation to support fast recovery of infrastructure, increase Ukraine’s resilience and support the reform process.
Also today, the EU Council adopted assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that provide further military assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These consist of a seventh package worth 500 million, and a new 45 million assistance measure supporting the training efforts of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
Overall, the European Union’s economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine amounts now, since the beginning of the war, to almost EUR 50 billion. This includes military assistance of 12 billion.
Website – EU Ukraine standing together
Factsheet EU solidarity with Ukraine meeting between the College of Commissioners and the Ukrainian government
