The European Council held on 23 and 24 June could call for further assistance to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility. The EU has already released €2 billion within this framework.
“The European Union remains strongly committed to providing further military support to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression, its defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty”, emphasises the European Council’s draft conclusions dated 15 June. The draft adds, “To this end, the European Council calls for a further increase of military support under the European Peace Facility”. However, an agreement among Member States is still needed regarding this call, as it is still in square brackets.
The [European] Council is also expected to reaffirm that the European Union will continue to provide “strong” support for Ukraine’s overall economic, military, social, and financial resilience, including through humanitarian aid.
While stating by way of reminder that “[the] adoption of the sixth package of sanctions further intensifies pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine”, the European Council is not expected to call for additional measures. Leaders are, however, expected to call on all countries to align themselves with EU sanctions.
They could also call for international humanitarian law, including that concerning the treatment of prisoners of war, to be respected and demand that Ukrainians, notably children, who have been forcibly taken to Russia be immediately allowed to return to Ukraine safely. “Russia, Belarus and all those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes are to be held to account for their actions, in accordance with international law”, the European Council is expected to warn once more.
Finally, leaders are expected to address the food crisis caused by the war (see other news).
See the draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/25f (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)