The involuntary war with Russia is costing Ukraine billions. The EU now wants to help with a solidarity fund. At the same time, the EU summit accuses Moscow of war crimes. The US apparently wants to deliver more liquid gas to Europe.
The EU states have decided to set up a solidarity fund to provide financial support to Ukraine. This emerges from a statement by the heads of state and government published at the summit in Brussels that night.
The text reads: “Considering the destruction and enormous losses inflicted on Ukraine by Russia’s military aggression, the European Union commits itself to assisting the Ukrainian government in its immediate needs and after the end of the Russian attack in the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine support.”
A pledging conference will be organized in due course to raise funds for the fund. In addition, international partners are invited to participate in the development of the fund.
Fund at the initiative of Council President Michel
At the end of last week, EU Council President Charles Michel brought up the Solidarity Fund after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The reason given was that Ukraine needed access to international liquidity to finance the import of daily necessities and military equipment. Under the current circumstances, the country is unable to issue bonds on the international financial market. Private investments would also be deducted.
The fund is said to initially ensure the functioning of the authorities and the continuation of defense efforts against Russia and emergency aid. In the long term, massive investments for the reconstruction of the economy could then be financed in order to anchor Ukraine economically in the West.
In the past, the EU has already set up an emergency trust fund for Africa, among other things, to address the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration and to contribute to better migration management. Almost five billion euros were made available for it by the EU institutions, the EU member states and other donors by mid-2020 alone.
EU accuses Russia of war crimes
The statement from the EU summit also mentions Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Russia is attacking the civilian population and targeting hospitals, schools and shelters, among other things, it says. “These war crimes must stop immediately.”
On Wednesday, the US government officially accused Russian troops in Ukraine of war crimes for the first time. “Our assessment is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In its declaration at the Versailles summit two weeks ago, the EU had refrained from explicitly using the term “war crimes”. Even then, however, there was talk of “indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population and civilian objects”. The final declaration of the current summit now states that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine flagrantly violates international law and leads to massive loss of life and injuries to the civilian population.
Those responsible and their accomplices would be held accountable in accordance with international law. Coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian assistance will continue to be provided to Ukraine. In addition, one is ready to quickly decide on further coordinated strong sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Any attempt to circumvent the sanctions that have already been decided or to help Russia in any other way must be stopped.
Summit calls for unity on refugee crisis
In view of the huge flow of refugees from Ukraine, the EU swears by its unity in dealing with the refugees. One recognizes all the efforts that have already been made to take in the people, the statement from the EU summit said. At the same time, all member states are called on to intensify their efforts “in a sustained spirit of unity and solidarity”. The EU Commission should take all necessary steps to support these efforts.
Asylum and migration policy has been the cause of heated arguments among EU countries for years. The crux of the matter is the distribution of those seeking protection among the member states. According to the UN refugee agency, around 3.7 million of the more than 44 million Ukrainians have left Ukraine since the beginning of the war. More than two million refugees have arrived in Poland alone.
In their declaration, the EU states also called on the EU Commission to submit proposals on how financial support for the host states could be further structured.
The USA apparently want to deliver more liquid gas to Europe
In the morning, the heads of state and government continue their deliberations around 10.00 a.m. The main topic is the massive rise in energy prices. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also wants to conclude an agreement on the delivery of liquid gas to Europe with US President Joe Biden in Brussels this morning.
