EU Commission head pledges to support Ukraine as long as it takes
Photo: Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine).
The European Union will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukrainians want a lasting peace, not a frozen conflict, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“I think we should never forget where it all started. Ukraine is a sovereign country, and it determined its own future by asking for accession to the EU. That’s where it all started. The response was an invasion by its neighbour, Russia,” she said at the Davos Forum.
Von der Leyen urged not to forget that it is not only about the security of Ukraine but also about the security of Europe.
“No one wants more peace than the people of Ukraine. But what they want is a just and lasting peace. What they do not want is a frozen conflict that erupts again a little later,” she said.
According to her, it is important for the EU that Ukraine remains an independent country and that it is Ukraine that makes decisions about its territory.
“We will continue to support it, whatever happens next. For us, it’s important that Ukraine stays an independent country and that it is Ukraine that decides on its own territory. We stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the head of the European Commission added.
EU assistance
After Donald Trump came to the White House, the continuation of US financial assistance to Ukraine is in question. The European Union is becoming the main donor.
In 2024, EU budgetary aid will account for more than 40% of all external revenues, amounting to €16.1 billion:
In 2025, the EU will allocate €30.6 billion in budget support for Ukraine. This year, the EU budget support is provided under the G7 ERA mechanism (EUR 18.1 billion) and the Ukraine Facility (EUR 12.5 billion).
