Ahead of the summit between the European Union and Ukraine, EU Member States 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 (EUMAM Ukraine).
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said, “Ukraine should get all the necessary military equipment and training they need to defend their territory and their people from Russia’s war of aggression. They are not just defending their country; they are also defending our common values and the basic principles of international law. Today’s new measures send a clear message at a crucial time: we will continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes and as long as it is needed.”
With Thursday’s decision, the EU is stepping up its support to Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian war of aggression. The seventh package will now bring the total EU contribution under the EPF for Ukraine to €3.6 billion.
The aim of the new assistance measure supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine trained under EUMAM Ukraine is to provide necessary non-lethal equipment and supplies as well as services to back the training activities.
An EU Council spokesman said, “The mobilisation of additional military assistance and support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine trained by EUMAM Ukraine demonstrates that the EU remains steadfast in its support for the Ukrainian military in defending the country against the escalating illegal aggression. Russia’s latest indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure are additional proof of Russia’s complete disrespect for human rights and international law.”
Previous assistance measures under the EPF for Ukraine were agreed on 28 February, 23 March, 13 April, 23 May, 21 July and 17 October 2022.
On 17 October 2022, the Council adopted a decision establishing EUMAM Ukraine with an initial duration of two years. The mission is a direct response to Ukraine’s request for support addressed to the High Representative. It is intended to provide individual, collective and specialised training to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, as well as coordination and synchronisation of member states’ activities delivering the training.
“In the face of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and is unwavering in its support of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, as well as of Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression,” said the spokesman.
