EU ready to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine – statement
The European Union stands ready to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine and will continue to participate in efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine.
The corresponding statement was made in Brussels on Thursday by 25 leaders of the European Union, with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia, at a meeting of the European Council.
“The European Union and Member States are prepared to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, notably through the Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States. This will include supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively, also in the long term, including through the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). The contribution of the European Union and Member States will be based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law,” the statement reads.
The leaders also noted that the European Union and its Member States will continue to be actively involved in peace efforts in accordance with the European Union’s objective to promote peace as enshrined in the Treaties. “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. The European Union will decide on matters of its competence or affecting its security,” the text reads.
The European Council strongly condemns Russia for “systematically and deliberately targeting Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure, and specifically heating and power installations.” “It welcomes the energy support and humanitarian and civil protection assistance provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States as well as international partners. The European Council calls for further intensified EU efforts, coordinated with international partners’ efforts, to support Ukraine in urgently repairing, rebuilding and strengthening the resilience of its energy system,” the document reads.
In addition, the European Council underlines the importance of “further sustained efforts to provide military support to Ukraine and urgently accelerate the production and delivery of priority equipment, in particular air defence systems, ammunition, drones and missiles, including to help Ukraine protect its energy and critical infrastructure.” “In this context, developing Ukraine’s defence industry, including through EU-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation, remains crucial,” the text reads.
At the same time, EU leaders noted 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 the security and defence interests of all Member States.”
