Ursula von der Leyen:
The time for illusions is over
At a plenary session of the European Parliament on 11 March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed: “Europe is called to take greater charge of its own defence. Not in some distant future, but already today. Not with incremental steps, but with the courage that the situation requires. We need a surge in European defence, and we need it now. We need it first and foremost because of the situation in Ukraine. There is the urgent need to fill the gaps in Ukraine’s military supplies and to provide Ukraine with solid security guarantees. But this moment of reckoning is not only about Ukraine. It is about all of Europe and our entire continent’s security.”
EU’s total support since the start of Russia’s fullscale war has reached €140 billion
On 20 March, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis visited Kyiv to mark the transfer of a €1 billion tranche under the G7-led ERA credit initiative. He met with high-ranking Ukrainian officials and assured them that the EU would utilise all available means to limit Russia’s capacity to wage war and to hold it accountable for the devastation inflicted upon Ukraine. Commissioner Dombrovskis, accompanied by EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová and Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, honoured the memory of Ukraine’s fallen heroes.
Katarina Mathernová:
“Security guarantees are key to lasting peace”
Responding to a question from Ukrinform news agency correspondents regarding Europe’s future actions in the field of security, given the evolving US policy, the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernová, emphasised: “I think we all understand who is the aggressor and who is the victim. I think that the first order of priority is to work with Ukraine on how to improve its defensive posture and strength for the negotiations and how to develop security guarantees. And let us not forget we also have a very important EU enlargement track with Ukraine. So, in the middle of not only these various crises and the fighting, you keep reforming. We have a big agenda.”
SECURITY SUPPORT
The EU – Ukraine’s primary strategic ally
On 12 March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that welcomed the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which had been put forward the day before, on 11 March. MEPs stated that they expected the Russian leadership to agree to and cease all attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population, infrastructure and territory.
At the same time, the resolution emphasised that the EU and its Member States should substantially increase their support for Ukraine. Consequently, Parliament welcomed the establishment of a ‘coalition of the willing’ to facilitate a potential peace agreement through European mediation.
Ukraine’s future lies within the EU, MEPs stressed, calling for the acceleration of accession negotiations.
European Council meeting results: Ukraine to gain access to SAFE
‘Ukraine’s security is integral to EU security,’ stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference following the European Council meeting in Brussels. The Ukrainian defence industry will therefore be able to participate in joint procurement within the EU’s new defence credit programme – SAFE.
President von der Leyen also emphasised that associate partners of the European Union will be able to join the programme. The programme will form the basis for implementing the ‘Readiness 2030’ initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities.
In addition to SAFE, the European Commission is proposing several other instruments to increase defence budgets, including the possibility of activating fiscal exemptions and voluntarily directing funds from EU regional programmes to defence needs.
which aims to provide Ukraine with approximately €45 billion in financial support.
Following this payment, the European Commission’s total lending to Ukraine under this programme since the beginning of the year has reached €4 billion.
BUSINESS, ECONOMY, FINANCE
Consistent and fair:
Russian assets contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction
On 20 March, within the framework of exceptional macro-financial assistance, the European Commission transferred an additional tranche of €1 billion to Ukraine. This will be repaid using proceeds from immobilised Russian state assets within the EU.
The total amount of macro-financial assistance amounts to €18.1 billion – the EU’s contribution to the G7-led ERA lending initiative,
Strengthening resilience and security: European Commission and EIB invest €2 billion in Ukraine’s reconstruction
On 6 March in Luxembourg, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a guarantee agreement unlocking the possibility for the EIB to invest at least €2 billion in urgent recovery and reconstruction projects in Ukraine. EIB President Nadia Calviño emphasised that Ukraine’s security is the security of all of Europe, and the signed agreement will enable the implementation of vital projects to strengthen the country’s resilience.
Previously, Ukraine and the EIB signed agreements on financing the restoration of energy and critical infrastructure.
Condition of the Chernobyl NPP confinement arch to be urgently assessed following Russian attack
An extraordinary meeting of the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA) Assembly – in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and the State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management – approved the allocation of €400,000 from the administrative budget of the Chornobyl Shelter Fund. The funds will support research into the damage caused to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) arch by the Russian attack on 14 February. Specifically, the money will fund an expert assessment of the consequences of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact on the NSC’s protective shell.
LAW AND ORDER
Human rights without language barriers: What Ukraine will gain from the ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has launched a new initiative: the Knowledge Sharing Platform is now accessible in three languages that are not official languages of the Council of Europe – Ukrainian, Romanian, and Turkish.
This provides access in native languages to a unique resource that was previously accessible only in English and French.
Through this initiative, the ECHR is creating new opportunities to ensure compliance with the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
€62 million to strengthen local governance and development
The ‘U-LEAD with Europe’ initiative, implemented with the support of the EU and its Member States (Germany, Denmark, France, Poland and Slovenia) in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine, has officially launched its third phase.
«Governments change, but well-established public services, such as quality schools, hospitals, and family support, remain constant. They shape people’s everyday lives in a truly important way. Decentralisation makes citizens happier, services better, reduces corruption, and improves the standard of living in the regions. Now, in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression, Ukraine needs decentralisation more than ever,” emphasised the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernová.
Bolhrad municipality joins ‘Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings in Ukraine’ programme
Bolhrad municipality is among the nine municipalities in Ukraine to receive a loan from the EIB following the third call for proposals for participation in the ‘Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings in Ukraine’ programme. The municipality will implement a project for the thermal modernisation of public buildings.
The ‘Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings in Ukraine’ programme is financed by the EIB with EU support through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) and the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). The programme also receives expert and technical support from the Covenant of Mayors-East, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and NTU International.
Comfortable, energyefficient, and safe housing for IDPs
Housing construction for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ternopil has begun. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Housing for IDPs and Rehabilitation of Liberated Cities of Ukraine. Component II’ programme, financed by the European Union and implemented by Nefco in Ukraine.
A solar power station will be installed on the roof of one building, providing autonomous power. A heat pump- based water heating system will also be implemented, ensuring water supply even during the non-heating season.
EDUCATION, SCIENCE, CULTURE
UNESCO launches EU-backed initiative to preserve Jewish documentary heritage in Ukraine
A two-year project, with a budget of €2.2 million, provides for the digitisation of at- risk historical materials, strengthening the capacity of specialised institutions and archives, and supporting cultural events that highlight the contribution of Jewish heritage to Ukraine’s history and culture.
“Protecting Ukraine’s vast and diverse heritage is not just about conserving the past; it is first and foremost an investment in our joint future. Diversity is a defining trait of our continent. Respect for that diversity and inclusiveness are key for our cohesion and unity,” said Rémi Duflot, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
MEDIA SUPPORT
The speech must be free: EU significantly increases support for Ukrainian media
During a conversation with journalists, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová stated: “The total amount of EU support for independent media in Ukraine since 2017 exceeds €100 million. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this support amounts to €37 million. Suspilne occupies a very special place, and since its inception, we have funded its work with over €16 million. Furthermore, in May we will announce a call for proposals for €3 million for regional media and independent journalists. A competition for media is therefore currently in preparation.”