As Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on 24 August, the EU is reconfirming its unwavering support to the country as it defends itself against Russia, for as long as it takes. “Europe will always be at Ukraine’s side, because Ukraine is Europe,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her video message. Ukraine has now entered its third year of conflict with Russia, which illegally invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Europe has stood with Ukraine since day one of the invasion. The EU has provided, and will continue to provide, Ukraine with financial, humanitarian, military, diplomatic, and moral support. So far, the EU and its Member States have made available almost €114 billion to Ukraine and Ukrainians; offered temporary protection to over four million people fleeing the invasion and have rallied financial firepower to help Ukraine resist and recover through the proceeds of frozen Russian assets and its €50 billion Ukraine Facility, among other measures.
The EU and its Member States will continue to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, notably through the European Peace Facility and the EU Military Assistance Mission, as well as through direct bilateral assistance by Member States. Meantime, Ukraine is taking rapid steps towards joining the EU in line with the EU’s firm belief that Ukraine is Europe.
The EU’s support to Ukraine is directed towards ensuring a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine. One that restores Ukraine’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity. The EU’s support until peace is achieved reflects the views of the great majority of Europeans. A recent Eurobarometer survey shows that almost nine in ten (87%) of Europeans agree with providing humanitarian support to the people affected by the war and more than eight in ten (83%) agree with welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war.
As a sign of the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine on its Independence Day, the EU unfurled the Ukraine flag in front of the European Parliament and illuminated several of its main buildings in Brussels in Ukrainian colours.
