The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, announced on Wednesday evening, 5 June, that the EU will take further steps for the Azov Sea region this summer.
“Ms Mogherini confirmed the EU's socio-economic support for the Azov Sea region, where additional EU-supported actions are expected this summer”, said the European External Action Service following a meeting between the High Representative and the new Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Brussels. When asked about these actions, the EEAS was not in a position to give us more details at the time of publication.
However, according to an EEAS fact sheet on EU-Ukraine relations, the EU could provide support for, among other things, rail and road links in the region, training centres in some Ukrainian cities around the Azov Sea and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
In addition, during her meeting with Mr Zelensky, Ms Mogherini stated that the EU was “ready to support the implementation of the Minsk [Protocol] by all available means”.
“This may include EU assistance to support President Zelensky's stated objective of an inclusive approach towards Ukrainian citizens living in non-government controlled areas in eastern Ukraine”, the High Representative added, according to the EEAS.
Since the beginning of the conflict in the eastern part of the country, the EU has provided more than €677.1 million, about half of which has been for humanitarian aid. These funds are intended to assist the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict and include shelter, health care, protection, food and non-food items, water, sanitation, education in emergencies and other emergency relief. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)