The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views this week on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Before the Council discussion, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, briefly addressed EU ministers via video conference, updating them on the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities, in particular the urgent need for ammunition.
In a joint session bringing together EU foreign affairs and defence ministers, the Council then agreed on the three-track proposal put forward by the High Representative and Commissioner Breton to urgently provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition, either from existing stocks or jointly procured.
Today, the Council has confirmed its agreement on this three-track approach. Today’s decision is important by its ambition – we will work under very tight deadlines because the purpose is to provide one million ammunitions in one year – its scope – we will combine delivery from existing stocks and joint procurement of new production – and its financial volume – we are talking about €2 billion of reimbursement. […] The Council has also agreed to consider a further increase in the overall financial capability of the EPF by €3.5 billion.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
On the margins of the meeting, 17 EU member states and Norway signed up to the European Defence Agency (EDA) project arrangement for the collaborative procurement of ammunition to aid Ukraine and replenish member states’ national stockpiles.
The Council then discussed President Zelenskyy’s peace formula. The Council expressed its support and will continue to conduct outreach with Ukraine and other partners to promote the plan and a just peace.
On accountability, ministers touched on the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for President Putin in connection with the alleged crime of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Council will continue working to identify those involved in the deportation of children, with the aim of adopting further restrictive measures.
Also, ministers touched on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was extended just before the Council meeting, and underlined the substantial EU contribution to efforts to support the export of Ukrainian food through the solidarity lanes.
