EU aid to Ukraine totals EUR 27B - Borrell

13.11.2023 13:03

Ukrinform

The European Union has already provided an unprecedented EUR 27 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and will continue to support the nation as the Russian war in Ukraine continues and escalates further.

This was stated by EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who spoke in Brussels earlier today, before the start of the EU foreign ministerial, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He called on the international community not to forget about the war Russia is waging against Ukraine against the background of the latest escalation in the Middle East. He recalled the recent Russian strike targeting Kyiv and the attacks on the civilian vessels transporting grain along the Black Sea corridor.

The EU support for Ukraine is growing, Borrell stressed, noting that it has already reached EUR 27 billion in military aid, which is the EU’s record high.

The EU continues to stand with Ukraine, Borrell said.

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, he noted that the EU countries agreed on a common position regarding the events in Gaza. They recognized Israel's right to self-defense and, at the same time, called for maximum restraint and for the introduction of pre-announced breaks in hostilities to deliver humanitarian aid and to evacuate the civilian population from the conflict zone.

Answering journalists' questions about how the situation in the Middle East will affect EU support for Ukraine, the EU High Representative emphasized that these two conflicts are completely different in nature. At the same time, Borrell added, it is clear that the approaches that exist around the world must be taken into account very carefully in order to avoid accusations of double standards.

He also said that in addition to discussing the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, the ministers will consider the development of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, meet with the foreign ministers of the Western Balkan nations, and discuss preparations for the next climate conference under the UN auspices.

As reported, the EU Foreign Affairs Council is taking place today in Brussels. EU defense ministers will meet in Brussels tomorrow in the same format. One of the main issues on the agenda of both meetings is continued EU aid to Ukraine.