EU unwavering in backing Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity – resolution

The leaders of states and governments of EU member states, meeting in Brussels, reaffirmed the European Union’s unwavering position on the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and its effective support for these principles, including broad political, financial, military, humanitarian, and diplomatic assistance.

That’s according to a summit resolution on Ukraine, published on the European Council website.

“The European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In line with the ‘peace through strength’ approach, which requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with its own robust military and defence capabilities as an essential component, the European Union will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people,” the document states.

The European Council called on member states to keep stepping up efforts to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, in particular the delivery of air defence and anti-drone systems, and large-calibre ammunition, to help Ukraine, as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence, to protect its citizens and territory against Russia’s intensified daily attacks.

At the same time, the EU leaders underlined the importance of accelerating work to further support and develop Ukraine’s defence industry and to deepen its cooperation and integration with the European defence industry. It also calls for decisions under the European Peace Facility to be operationalised as soon as possible. It underlines the importance of the military needs component of the G7 ERA initiative, which envisages such assistance from the proceeds derived from frozen Russian assets.

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“For peace to last, a comprehensive peace agreement will have to be accompanied by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression. The European Union and Member States are ready to contribute to security guarantees, in particular by supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively, based on their respective competences and capabilities, in line with international law. The European Union and Member States are committed to contributing to training and equipping the Ukrainian Armed Forces for this purpose,” the document reads.

The resolution specifically emphasizes that all military support as well as security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain member states and taking into account their security and defense interests.

The aforementioned resolution of the EU Council was adopted by 26 votes.

As reported, today in Brussels a meeting of EU heads of state and government is taking place in the format of the European Council, which, among the most important issues, explored ways of further EU economic and military support for Ukraine./UkrinForm/