This afternoon, at 18:00 CET, High Representative Josep Borrell will convene EU Foreign Ministers for an extraordinary meeting via VTC in view of the ongoing grave aggression of Russia against Ukraine. 

Ahead of the meeting, Josep Borrell said: “I will propose to Ministers to use the European Peace Facility for two emergency assistance measures. These aim to finance the supply of lethal material to the heroic Ukrainian army, which is fighting with fierce resistance against the Russian invaders and provide urgently needed non-lethal supplies, such as fuel.”

The High Representative’s proposal follows a direct request made by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, on Friday, during his address to EU Foreign Ministers. The High Representative will propose to provide a measure composed of lethal equipment, such as ammunition, and a measure for non-lethal equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian army, such as fuel and urgent medical supplies. 

The High Representative will also discuss with the EU Foreign Ministers the announcement of tough economic sanctions, made yesterday by a number of countries and the European Commission. These include the exclusion of a certain number of Russian banks from SWIFT, preventing the Russian Central Bank from deploying its international reserves and acting against the people and entities who facilitate the war in Ukraine and the harmful activities of the Russian government. Today’s discussion by EU Foreign Ministers will pave the way for the swift adoption of all necessary legal acts. 

The High Representative will also put forward a number of additional possible measures to provide assistance to the people of Ukraine in the face of the senseless aggression by Russia. 

Commissioner for humanitarian aid, Janez Lenarčič will provide an update on the EU’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries. 

The High Representative will hold a press conference at around 20:00 CET to present the results of the meeting. Follow live on EbS and the Council.