According to a draft of conclusions dated Monday 21 March and obtained by EUROPE, the Heads of State or Government could agree at the European Council on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 March to set up a Solidarity Trust Fund with Ukraine to help it meet its immediate needs and rebuild after the war.
“Bearing in mind the destruction and enormous losses brought upon Ukraine by Russia’s military aggression, the European Union is committed to provide support to the Ukrainian government for its immediate needs and, once the Russian onslaught has ceased, for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine. To that end, the European Council agrees to set up a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund and calls for preparations to start without delay”, the draft declaration states.
The European Council could call for an international conference “in due time” to raise financial contributions to the Trust Fund.
In the meantime, the leaders will commit to continue providing coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
In addition, the EU “remains ready to move quickly with further coordinated sanctions”, according to the draft conclusions. However, Member States are divided on whether to adopt restrictive measures affecting the Russian energy sector in particular.
Once again, the Heads of State or Government are expected to demand that Russia immediately suspend its military operations on the territory of Ukraine, immediately and unconditionally withdraw its army, and fully respect the sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
Russia must also “immediately” cease its attacks on the civilian population and civilian property, including hospitals, schools and shelters, which the leaders will reportedly call “crimes”. “Those responsible, and their accomplices, will be held to account”, they will also warn.
In addition, the European Council will call on Moscow to urgently guarantee safe passage for civilians trapped in the war zones, to immediately release all hostages, and to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access. With more than 3.5 million Ukrainians already out of the country, leaders are expected to call on Member States to step up their solidarity efforts with the countries hosting the most refugees.
Furthermore, the European Council is expected to revisit the Security and Defence Policy, recalling the Versailles agenda (see EUROPE 12909/1) and approving the Strategic Compass (see EUROPE 12915/10). Leaders will reportedly stress that in order to strengthen the EU’s and Member States’ defence capabilities, all of the Union’s financial instruments should be used.
“Measures should be taken by the end of 2022 to promote and facilitate access to private funding for the defence industry, also by making best use of the possibilities offered by the EIB”, they are expected to add.
See the draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/vu (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)