EU to allocate additional €15 bln in aid to Ukraine – Costa

At a press conference after the EU security summit, European Council President António Costa announced that several EU member states have pledged up to 15 billion euros in additional assistance to Ukraine.

European Pravda reported this.

The President of the European Council said that EU states can immediately increase their support for Ukraine through initiatives to increase fiscal space, and new commitments already amount to about 15 billion euros.

"Since 2022, we have already provided more than 135 billion euros in support of Ukraine. Our support is unwavering. If the war continues, in any future, in peace negotiations, in reconstruction, in accession to the European Union," Costa emphasized.

He added that European Union members have now committed to increasing support for Ukraine.

"Member States can immediately increase their support through increased fiscal space. Several member states have already announced their commitments to allocate up to 15 billion euros," the President of the European Council said.

He said the European Council also "instructed the Council of the EU to work urgently on further initiatives aimed at meeting Ukraine's urgent military and defense needs."

"At the same time, we stand ready to support Ukraine when it decides to start negotiations to help it achieve a positive outcome. This means a just and lasting peace," Costa said.

It is noted that on 6 March, the European Council called on the Council of the EU to accelerate work on the initiative of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to approve a new multi-billion euro package of military assistance to Ukraine from the European Union.

For reference:

On March 6, a special summit of EU leaders was held in Brussels. The meeting was dedicated to European defense and Ukraine, and Zelensky participated. According to the head of state, Ukraine and Europe will prepare a plan for sustainable peace.

The Ukrainian president met with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky also met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense, weapons, and ammunition.

Zelensky also had several other meetings scheduled, including:

• Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever,
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte,
• and an audience with King Philippe I.

The Ukrainian leader presented the first necessary steps for peace at a special meeting of the European Council and called on partners to support them. He stressed that Europe must be able to guarantee peace and security for itself and all who need it. Zelensky noted that everyone must ensure that Russia, as the only source of this war, recognizes the need to end it.

Following the summit, the European Council adopted a final communiqué with a point on further support for Ukraine.

It is worth adding that on the eve of the summit, the European Union presented a five-stage plan for the rearmament of the EU and support for Ukraine. The plan provides for the mobilization of 800 billion euros and includes lending of 150 billion for defense needs. The funds will be used for the production of air defense equipment and the modernization of defense infrastructure among the member states of the European bloc.