At their summit in Versailles on 10-11 March, EU leaders are expected to highlight their solidarity with the Ukrainian people, praising “their courage in defending their country and the values of freedom and democracy”.
“We will not leave them alone”, they will promise, according to a draft declaration dated 8 March obtained by EUROPE. Leaders will explain that the EU and its Member States will continue to provide “coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian” support.
With more than two million Ukrainians reported to have already fled the country, the leaders announce that the EU and its member states will continue to provide humanitarian and financial support to refugees and the countries hosting them (see other news), according to the draft conclusions.
Beyond war-related aid, the leaders pledge, pending the Commission's opinion on Ukraine's application for membership (see EUROPE 12905/10) and “without delay”, to further strengthen EU-Ukraine bonds and deepen the partnership, without giving further details.
Increasing pressure on Russia
The leaders also express their determination to further increase the pressure on Russia and Belarus. While ensuring that the sanctions already adopted are fully implemented, they express their readiness to take further measures quickly, if necessary. New sanctions are being discussed by Member State ambassadors, including targeting Russian oligarchs and Belarusian banks.
Leaders will, without using the word, condemn Russia's “unprovoked and unjustified military aggression” against Ukraine, which “grossly violates international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter and undermines European security”.
They will call on Russia to fully abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, and to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to victims and internally displaced persons in Ukraine and to allow safe passage for civilians who wish to leave.
“Russia bears full responsibility (for the war) and those responsible will be held to account for this war of aggression, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians”, EU leaders warn, demanding that it cease military action and withdraw all its military forces and equipment from Ukraine “immediately and unconditionally”.
Following the fighting around the Zaporozhie nuclear power plant, the leaders also call for the immediate safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities to be assured.
See the project: https://aeur.eu/f/n9 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)