During a visit to Ukraine, on Monday 13 October, EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, pledged the EU’s continued support for Kyiv.
“The European Union is at your side and supports you in a number of areas, not only politically, but also financially and militarily”, she said alongside Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ms Kallas reiterated that the EU would “soon” be adopting new measures against Russia’s energy, financial and commercial revenues. The 19th sanctions package could be adopted in the next few days (see EUROPE 13728/25). According to draft conclusions dated 13 October from the European Council meeting on 23 and 24 October, EU leaders could underline the EU’s determination “to maintain and increase its pressure on Russia (...), including through sanctions ending imports of Russian fossil fuels in the EU”. These measures were requested by the Ukrainian President, but also by the US President, Donald Trump.
The EU is also working on a loan using frozen Russian assets. “We want to move forward quickly, but our 27 Member States have different concerns”, acknowledged Ms Kallas. In her view, there are two avenues for work: “The first is to set up this repair loan in such a way that it is legally sound and that the risks are covered for certain Member States that are more exposed than others. The other issue concerns the use, timing and terms of this loan”.
According to the draft summit conclusions, EU leaders will invite the Commission to present “as soon as possible concrete proposals involving the possible use of the cash balances associated with the immobilised Russian assets, in accordance with EU and international law, and underpinned by appropriate European solidarity and risk-sharing”.
And while European leaders are expected to condemn the intensification of attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, call for all efforts to be mobilised to respond urgently to immediate needs and to strengthen Ukraine’s preparations for the winter, the High Representative announced that the EU had already mobilised €800 million for this winter and was working to mobilise a further €100 million for generators, shelters and equipment to combat the cold.
Lastly, Ms Kallas said that the EU was working on extending the mandate of the EU civilian mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) to include cyber defence and support for former combatants. She also pointed out that the EU was “strengthening Ukraine’s combat power by investing €2 billion in drones”.
Military support will be discussed at the summit, where EU leaders are expected to emphasise once again the need for Member States to continue to step up their efforts to meet Ukraine’s urgent military and defence needs, “in particular air defence and anti-drone systems, and large-calibre ammunition”.
See the draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/ixq (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)