The European Council convened on March 20 in Brussels, affirming a resolute commitment from the EU to amplify pressure on Russia amidst its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This affirmation came during a pivotal meeting where EU leaders, with the notable exception of Hungary, expressed unanimous support for robust sanctions against Russia and enhanced enforcement of existing measures.
According to the Council's conclusions, "Subject to EU law, Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war and compensates Ukraine for the damages caused by the war." This strong stance not only underlines the EU's unwavering resolve but also reinforces its commitment to a comprehensive and just peace based on international law.
Welcoming a joint statement from Ukraine and the United States, EU leaders noted initiatives such as a proposed ceasefire agreement, humanitarian efforts, and the resumption of US intelligence sharing, which are critical in the context of the ongoing turmoil. The European Council also made a call for Russia to demonstrate genuine political will to end hostilities and emphasized the importance of humanitarian actions such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of civilians—including Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus.
Significantly, the EU discussed its security guarantees for Ukraine, underlining the necessity for the country to strengthen its military capabilities. The European leaders welcomed collaborative efforts with NATO and like-minded partners aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. They expressed readiness to assist further in this regard, ensuring that Ukraine is equipped to effectively counter any threats.
EU leaders stressed the urgency of addressing Ukraine’s pressing military and defense needs, urging member states to intensify their efforts. “To deter future Russian aggression, Ukraine also needs to have robust and credible security guarantees,” they said. They further requested the European Commission to quickly frontload funding under the Ukraine Facility and the G7 extraordinary revenue acceleration loan to bolster Ukraine’s resilience.
To date, financial support provided by the EU to Ukraine has reached an impressive total of €139.2 billion, with approximately €49.3 billion designated for military support. This financial backing underscores the EU’s commitment to not only aiding Ukraine in the ongoing conflict but also supporting its reform efforts aimed at EU membership.
Furthermore, EU leaders reiterated the importance of progressing on Ukraine's path to membership. They emphasized the significance of achieving milestones in accession negotiations, particularly initiating the fundamentals negotiation cluster as swiftly as possible, ensuring that strong progress is made.
As the situation unfolds, the European Council remains adamant about ensuring that Ukraine is positioned strongly both militarily and diplomatically to withstand the consequences of the ongoing war and to pursue a future as part of the European community. The EU’s unified front in support of Ukraine highlights the collective resolve to not only respond to immediate threats but also to lay the groundwork for long-term stability and peace in the region.
