The European Council has called for a rapid increase in military support for Ukraine and the acceleration of its provision, including air defense systems, ammunition and missiles. It also emphasized the importance of strengthening support for Ukraine’s defense industry, Suspilne reports.
This is stated in the conclusions of the European Council meeting on October 17, published on the European Council website.
The European Council reiterates its strong condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. It also reaffirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to provide further political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary, as long as it takes and as intensively as it is needed. Russia must not win, – the conclusions read.
The European Council also emphasized the importance of fulfilling the commitments made at the G7 Summit in Puglia to provide, together with G7 partners, approximately 45 billion euros (50 billion US dollars) by the end of the year to support Ukraine’s current and future military, budgetary and reconstruction needs.
In accordance with EU law, Russian assets must remain immobilized until Russia stops its aggressive war against Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused by this war, – the European Council said.
Military support for Ukraine will be provided with full respect for the security and defense policies of individual member states, as well as taking into account the security and defense interests of all member states.
In addition, the European Council also condemned Russia’s continued shelling of Ukraine’s critical energy and civilian infrastructure. It supported all efforts, both public and private, to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s energy security before the onset of winter and to address the urgent humanitarian and civil protection needs of the Ukrainian population, as well as to enhance the resilience of Ukraine’s energy system in the long term.
The European Council emphasizes that any actions that jeopardize the safety of nuclear facilities are unacceptable and welcomes the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the situation and assist in maintaining nuclear safety and security, – the conclusions say.
The European Council called for further integration of Ukraine’s energy system with the EU energy network.
The European Council also condemned the destruction of port infrastructure and attacks on commercial vessels. It spoke out against the use of food for military purposes, which undermines global food security, affecting vulnerable populations and regions.
The European Council is extremely concerned by reports of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces. It emphasizes that international humanitarian law, including on the treatment of prisoners of war, must be respected at all times. No crime can go unpunished, – the conclusions also say.
It is noted that the European Union remains ready to further restrict Russia’s ability to wage war, including through further sanctions.
The European Council also condemned the continued support by third countries for Russia’s war against Ukraine and called on them to stop all assistance. This applies not only to direct military support, but also to the provision of dual-use and sensitive items that support the Russian military-industrial base.
In coordination with international partners, the European Union has responded swiftly to this threat to European and global security, including through a package of new and significant restrictive measures against Iran, including designating individuals and entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs, as well as Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs, – the conclusions say.
The text also states that the European Union remains committed to supporting the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine in coordination with international partners. The next conference on Ukraine’s recovery will be held in Italy in July 2025.
The statement also said that the European Union will continue to work closely with Ukraine and support reforms on its European path.
On Thursday, October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a plan for Ukraine’s victory over Russia at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels.
