EU reaffirmed ‘clear commitment’ to Ukraine, says foreign policy chief

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – EU foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment in backing Ukraine at their special meeting in Ukraine’​​​​​​​s capital Kyiv, the bloc’s foreign policy chief said on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Josep Borrell underlined that the reunion in Kyiv “should be understood as a clear commitment of the European Union to Ukraine,” including military support, ensuring accountability for war crimes, and EU membership perspective.

Borrell stressed that EU top diplomats sent a message to Russia that the bloc is “not intimidated” by its aggression.

He said that the Ukrainian city of Odesa came under a drone attack only minutes after he finished his visit and left on Sunday.

The EU, he said, wants to grant “long-term security guarantees” for Ukraine once the war ends.

Borrell also said that he had proposed to provide another €5 billion ($5.25 billion) military aid for Ukraine next year, and said he hopes EU countries will give the green light for the support before the end of 2022.

In a message posted on X, German Foreign Minister Annelena Baerbock also highlighted the importance of the meeting.

“The future of Ukraine is in the European Union, in our community of freedom – one day stretching from Lisbon to Luhansk,” she said.