EU statement on Russia’s missile strike on Ukraine: “Children are never a target”
Officials in the European Union believe that Russia’s strike on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital Okhmatdyt could be investigated as a war crime. “By targeting Okhmatdyt, a symbol of Ukraine’s childcare medicine and treatment of childhood cancer, and attacking children, who are the most vulnerable, Russia once again demonstrates its cruelty and that it is utterly insincere about peace and peace negotiations,” said Nabila Massrali, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a statement.
Support – Until victory and EU membership
In its first plenary session, the newly elected European Parliament adopted a resolution titled ‘The need for the EU’s continuous support for Ukraine’.
«The European Parliament reaffirms its position on continued support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and the unwavering commitment of the EU to providing political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for as long as it takes to secure Ukraine’s victory,” the resolution states.
EU to effectively combat Russian propaganda
The EU’s comprehensive ban on receiving funding from Russian sources is a powerful tool to deprive agents of influence of the resources they need to spread propaganda in the European information space. However, as they are located within European countries, these agents fall under the jurisdiction of European law enforcement agencies and can now be held accountable. The decision to implement restrictive measures is just the first step. Will they prove effective?
UKRAINE-EU:
ACCESSION ALGORITHM
Ukraine’s path to the EU:
work continues
Formal accession talks between Ukraine and the European Union started with an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on 25 June. In an interview, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, discusses Ukraine’s progress on reforms outlined by the European Commission, ongoing challenges in trade liberalisation with the EU, and strategies for addressing sensitive issues on Ukraine’s path to European integration.
ECONOMY, FINANCE, BUSINESS
Ukraine to receive up to €100 million from EIB to rebuild communities
Following a financial agreement between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank (EIB), signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin, Ukraine will soon be able to secure €100 million to support communities impacted by Russia’s military aggression. The funds will be allocated to restore municipal infrastructure, schools, healthcare facilities, as well as for housing projects for internally displaced persons and other initiatives.
Water supply facility renovated in Bucha
The newly renovated water supply facility in Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, opened on 10 July. Damaged by the Russian invasion in 2022, the facility has now been renovated and equipped with an iron removal station that will ensure clean, safe drinking water for 9,000 residents. The renovation was part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, a €340 million EIB loan facility helping Ukrainian municipalities to rebuild their social infrastructure.
Solidarity Lanes to become even more reliable
The European Union has announced a record allocation of €7 billion for developing transport networks, including railways, sea, and river transport. This funding will also improve the transport infrastructure of the Solidarity Lanes with Ukraine. A significant portion will be directed towards projects aligned with the EU’s climate goals, such as improving railways, inland waterways, and maritime transport.
Communities influence the formation of a new veteran policy
With financial support from the EU, the UNDP hosted a strategic session on veteran reintegration in Donetsk Oblast. The event identified key priorities for implementing veteran policies at oblast level.
The key goal of such meetings is to help and empower communities to become active and influential actors in developing a coherent and inclusive veteran policy at oblast level, as the reintegration of veterans is important for the recovery of Ukraine.
The EU Advisory Mission Ukraine is launching a project to support stabilisation of liberated territories
The project ‘Support to Civilian Security Sector Agencies to Stabilise and Restore Government Safety, Security and Social Cohesion in Liberated and Adjacent Territories in Ukraine’ has been officially launched. With a budget of €8 million, it is currently the EUAM’s largest externally funded initiative.
The project aims to strengthen the operational capacity of the Ukrainian civilian security sector to stabilise liberated territories and ensure their seamless reintegration into Ukrainian society.
ENERGY SECURITY
€100 million for energy infrastructure restoration and protection
As a part of the targeted programme Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ukraine’s Electricity Transmission Infrastructure, the European Commission has authorised the German state development bank KfW to allocate the second tranche of €100 million from the EU’s special budget programme, the Ukraine Investment Facility, to Ukrenergo. This funding will be used to finance and implement several priority energy projects. The first phase of the programme, worth €15 million, was agreed upon with KfW during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin in June 2024.
EU delivers thousands of solar panels to Ukrainian hospitals
Under the Ray of Hope initiative, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, the EU has delivered thousands of solar panels to Ukraine to power hospitals. Additionally, the EU is providing 1,000 generators for emergency electricity generation. According to von der Leyen, the EU’s support for Ukraine’s energy sector also includes ‘…continued material support, in view of Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid. We have raised close to €500 million so far, for urgent repairs. The aim is to help decentralise the power system and thus increase resilience’.
CIVIL SOCIETY AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA
Civil activists need support
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, civil society activists and Ukrainians in general have required mental health support. Hundreds of thousands of them are fighting, millions have been displaced, and thousands have been killed or wounded. There is also widespread psychological trauma for the families of military personnel. Along with Ukrainian citizens, those providing assistance, such as activists, human rights defenders, and volunteers, also need support. Learn more about overcoming burnout and maintaining morale during wartime.
EDUCATION, SCIENCE, CULTURE
Ukraine ranks third in supported projects under the EU’s Creative Europe Programme
