Condemning Russian war of aggression against Ukraine

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation.

We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine.

Russia bears full responsibility of the aggression against Ukraine and its people. Russian occupation forces are violating international law, international humanitarian law and are committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Sanctions

The EU Member States remain extraordinarily united in supporting Ukraine. We will continue isolating Russia with the largest sanctions package in our Union's history. This entails massive sectoral sanctions as well as individual listings.

Measures have been closely coordinated with partners and allies - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Over 40 countries have so far partially or completely aligned with our sanctions.

The sanctions impose huge costs on the aggressor, but they are not cost-free for the Union and its partners.

We are prepared to impose further measures, including additional economic and individual sanctions. Nothing is off the table.

Assistance to Ukraine

We will continue supporting Ukraine with humanitarian assistance and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.

Humanitarian

Over EUR 17 billion have been provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014. 

On 1 March, President von der Leyen announced additional EUR 500 million to deal with the immediate consequences of the war, including for the refugees.

Peace Facility

• On 27 February, Member States agreed to supply military equipment to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This will have an overall cost of EUR 500 million covered under the European Peace Facility. EUR 450 million are foreseen for lethal assistance, EUR 50 million for non-lethal assistance.

Strategic Compass

The war in Ukraine has made it even clearer that we live in a world shaped by raw power politics. All these trends were already happening before the Ukraine war; now they are accelerating. A stronger and more capable EU in the field of security and defence will contribute positively to global and transatlantic security.

The EU Member States have agreed on a strategic course of action towards a stronger and more capable European Union: the Strategic Compass.

A common vision and detailed objectives on EU security and defence for the next 10 years.

On substance, the Strategic Compass proposes several concrete actions in four domains:

• Act more quickly and decisively when facing crises;
• Secure our citizens against fast-changing threats;
• Invest in the capabilities and technologies we need;
• Partner with others to achieve common goals.