The EU Council at the level of the bloc's foreign ministers, attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, has made a final decision to allocate an additional 5 billion euros for military support to Ukraine under the European Peace Fund. The minister expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for this step, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, UNN reported.
Details
"The meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which was attended by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, made a final decision to allocate an additional 5 billion euros for military support to Ukraine under the European Peace Fund," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
Kuleba thanked for this and also thanked the Czech Republic "for the timely initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine and all EU member states that have already contributed to its implementation.
"I urge those who are still considering making contributions to do so as soon as possible. This applies not only to the Czech initiative, but also to several other similar initiatives. Every day counts," the minister said.
The Ukrainian foreign minister emphasized that Russia's threats against NATO and EU members show that the Russian dictator is seeking to expand its aggression. Supporting Ukraine is the only way to prevent these plans.
The Ukrainian soldier is Europe's only hope for peace. There should be no restrictions or delays in providing the Ukrainian military with everything they need to break the back of the Russian occupation forces on Ukrainian soil
The minister welcomed the initiative of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to use the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to purchase military equipment for Ukraine. "He believes that the allies should also find the necessary legal grounds and political will to use not only the proceeds but also the assets themselves," the Foreign Ministry said.
Kuleba also reportedly emphasized "the need to increase sanctions pressure against the aggressor state, synchronize sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and close all loopholes for the export of dual-use goods to Russia, which it uses to produce weapons.
Recall
EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell saidthat the EU Foreign Affairs Council is considering a €5 billion fund to help Ukraine and the use of excess profits from Russia's frozen assets.