The EU will allocate EUR 500 million to deal with the humanitarian consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen said at an urgent European Parliament debate on Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Brussels on Tuesday that the Union is using the European budget for the first time for the purchase and supply of military equipment for the country under attack. She said it is EUR 500 million for the European peace mechanism to support the defense of Ukraine. She added that they will also comply with this [by allocating] at least EUR 500 million from the EU budget to cope with the humanitarian consequences of this tragic war both in the country and for the refugees.

She noted that the EU proposes to activate the temporary protection mechanism in order to provide refugees from Ukraine with a safe status and access to schools, medical care and work.

"They deserve it. We must do it now. And we know that this is just the beginning. More Ukrainians will need our protection and solidarity, will support them," von der Leyen assured.