Team Europe gathered at the European Union Delegation in Canberra on Feb. 23^rd to commemorate the second year of Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, HE Vasyl Myroshnychenko, spent time exchanging with the EU Heads of Missions and spoke about the ongoing unprovoked and unjustified aggression Ukrainians are enduring at the hands of the Russian and the effects of the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories by the Russian Federation, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter.

‘Today is evidence that even in Australia, the EU continues to provide its unwavering support to Ukraine. The EU has stood with Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression’ said the EU Ambassador to Australia, HE Gabriele Visentin, after the extraordinary Heads of Missions meeting with the Ambassador Myroshnychenko.

The EU Stands with Ukraine from the First Day of Invasion

The EU stands united in its unwavering support of Ukraine. We view Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started in 2014 in the Donbas and Crimea, as an existential threat to Europe’s security. If Russia prevails, it will not stop at Ukraine’s borders.

That’s why the EU has provided to Ukraine €85 billion in humanitarian, financial, economic and military support.

The EU and its Member States have also provided substantial military support, amounting to over €28 billion and by the end of 2024, Team Europe will have delivered more than 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine and trained 60 000 Ukrainian soldiers on EU soil.

Additionally, ‘The Ukraine Facility’ by the EU, which has a total budget of €50 billion, will provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support between now and 2027. This crucial funding will help Ukraine in its recovery, reconstruction and reforms, including those needed on the path towards EU membership, while keeping its administration running, pay salaries, pensions, and provide basic public services, as it continues to defend itself against Russia's aggression.

Moreover, the EU has imposed massive and unprecedented sanctions against Russia in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine that have impacted the Russian economy.

The EU will continue to provide strong political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for Ukraine to prevail.

Our support will not falter.

Ukraine’s Future is in the EU

On 14 December 2023, and following the Commission’s recommendation, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.

The European Council and the Commission also invited the Council to adopt the respective negotiating framework once Ukraine has adopted certain key measures.

The EU will stand with Ukraine on its European path, as Ukraine’s European path is the best security guarantee for Ukraine and for the EU.

European Union, 2023

[December 2023] EU Ambassador to Australia HE Gabriele Visentin, Ambassador of Ukraine HE Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Georgia HE Beka Dvali, Ambassador of Spain HE Alicia Moral Revilla, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina Kemal Mutifc. Ambassadors gathered to celebrate the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grant candidate status to Georgia and willingness to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once necessary criteria are met.

Striving for Comprehensive, Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine

Russia’s illegal invasion has damaging impact on international law, peace and security, economic stability, energy and food prices and security, which affects people globally.

Since its illegal invasion of Crimea, Russia has demonstrated, it can’t be trusted. By turning against its own legal obligations, international or bilateral agreements, and initiating a neo-colonial war against a sovereign member of the international community, it has set a dangerous precedent, disregarding the UN Charter and international law.

By violating international law, the invasion violates the principles and the values the EU believes in and has built itself upon – independence, freedom of choice and sovereignty.

A victorious, peaceful Ukraine can be an innovative powerhouse, a security provider and a reliable provider of energy and food security. Currently, Ukraine is actively working with over 80 countries to achieve a just peace.

We are all inspired by the remarkable resilience of Ukrainians and their unshaken will to prevail and rebuild.

We note how Ukraine managed to drive the Russian Black Sea Fleet away from the Western coast of the Crimean Peninsula and thus bring more stability in global food prices. Ukraine also managed to regain half of the territory Russia had illegally annexed.

No one wants peace more than Ukraine, while Russia has shown no willingness to put an end to the war.

EU’s Like Minded Partner Australia Continues Support for Ukraine

Like the EU, our partner Australia has been an important non-NATO contributor to Ukraine, committed to defending freedom, sovereignty, and international order.

On 15 February 2024, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $50 million grant to the International Fund for Ukraine, directly supporting the procurement of priority military capabilities.

‘We stand with Ukraine in support of its courageous people and also in defence of a fundamental principle - the right of every sovereign nation to be secure in its own borders and to determine its own future’, said PM Albanese.

Australia is actively supporting Ukraine through material, financial, and military assistance under Operation Kudu. The Australian Defence Force is engaged in training Ukrainian soldiers in the United Kingdom, while the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is deployed in Germany to safeguard a crucial international gateway for military and humanitarian aid into Ukraine.

Australia urges Russia to withdraw from Ukrainian territory and calls on Belarus to cease supporting Russia's war.

European Union, 2024

[23 February 2024] EU Ambassador to Australia HE Gabriele Visentin with Ambassador of Ukraine HE Vasyl Myroshnychenko after the Extraordinary Heads of Missions Meeting in Canberra.

Further reading:

• Stand with Ukraine - EEAS
• Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Released - European Commission
• EU Military Support to Ukraine - European Commission
• Ukraine and Moldova: Council Adopts its Negotiating Mandate to Renew the Suspension of Import Duties and Quotas - European Council
• Russia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the death of Alexei Navalny
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press Remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell After the Meeting
• EU Solidarity with Ukraine
• The Ukraine Facility
• EU Sanctions Against Russia Explained