1 000 days towards a just peaceу
“One thousand days ago, Russia tried to wipe Ukraine off the map. And for one thousand days, Russia has failed – because of Ukraine’s resistance, and the sacrifice of your heroes. Today is a day of mourning, but also a day of promise. We promise to keep standing by your side for as long as it takes. You can be sure that support from Europe and the West will continue,” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said in a video message to mark 1 000 days since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. The European Parliament also held an extraordinary session. Its President, Roberta Metsola, stated: “You have stood up against attempts to break you. Your people are an inspiration to all who value freedom around the world.”
Josep Borrell:
“The EU will be with Ukraine not because of friendship or generosity. It’s simply in our interests”
The mandate of Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is coming to an end. He played a crucial role in securing aid for Ukraine and significantly influenced changes within the EU itself. Borrell is convinced that the tragic events of recent years in Ukraine are a lesson and an opportunity for Europe to reawaken: “We need to realise that we cannot entrust our security to anyone else, and we have to take care of it ourselves. If Europe wants to maintain global influence, it has to be more united. We need to build a stronger Europe.” Borrell reflected on this and the future of Ukraine, Europe, and the world in an interview with European Pravda.
Ukrainians expect EU to step up support for anti- corruption and judicial reforms
On the eve of the EU Enlargement Report’s publication, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová made an exclusive comment on the state of anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine to Ukrinform. According to sociological studies by the Rating Group (commissioned by the OSCE), Ukrainians are concerned about the results of anti- corruption and judicial reforms. These reforms received the lowest approval ratings, with 73% and 84% dissatisfaction, respectively. At the same time, Ukrainians would like to see increased EU support for these reforms, which clearly goes beyond funding. How did Mathernová assess the situation?
UKRAINE-EU:
ACCESSION ALGORITHM
Ukraine Progress Report
On 30 October, the European Commission presented a report within the 2024 European Union Enlargement Package. The report contains assessments of the progress made by all candidate countries and potential candidates for EU accession, including an assessment of Ukraine’s annual progress in its reforms and transformation. The document outlines achievements and further steps for Ukraine to focus on throughout 2025. Despite Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the country continues its transformation on the path toward EU membership. Read on about one of the urgent reforms impacting Ukraine’s progress towards the EU.
ECONOMY, FINANCE, BUSINESS
Investment – The key to rebuilding Ukraine
At the first EU–Ukraine Investment Conference in Warsaw, the European Union announced the launch of a call for expression of interest to attract private investment from the EU for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The event was organised by the European Union in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine to motivate European businesses to cooperate in critically important sectors of the Ukrainian economy affected by the war. “Facilitating private sector involvement in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction will be key to its success,” emphasised Oliver Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.
Digital transformation: Growing together
Through the EU4DigitalUA and DT4UA projects, the European Union supports expanding the comprehensive e-Entrepreneur service. Since launching on the Diia platform in July, it has become a single centre for opening and managing businesses online, eliminating numerous administrative hurdles. The latest EU- supported update enhances the platform and reaffirms the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s digital transformation and economic growth. Remi Duflot, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, participated in the event, presenting five new e-Entrepreneur services.
EIB and EU announce new support for Ukraine
An EUR 52 million EU investment will support the rollout of the EU 112 emergency number and call system in Ukraine. This investment includes a new EUR 12 million EU grant and an already planned EUR 40 million EIB loan.
The EIB Group also announced full coverage for the EUR 300 million pan- European export credit guarantee facility. Also highlighted in Washington was the recently approved energy rescue plan for Ukraine, which allocates up to EUR 600 million in EU-backed financing for critical energy and heating projects as the country prepares for winter.
SECURITY SUPPORT
EU extends mandate of military assistance mission in support of Ukraine for two years
The Council of the European Union adopted a decision extending the mandate of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) for a further two years. The budget allocation for the period from 14 November 2024 to 15 November 2026 will amount to almost EUR 409 million.
“EUMAM Ukraine remains a key tool for the EU’s military support to Ukraine, with its core objective of contributing to enhancing the military capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces (UAF)… In line with the newly taken decision, EUMAM Ukraine will also cooperate with NATO, in particular the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), and exchange information with the latter,” reads the official statement.
EU approves joint arms procurement, including for Ukraine, for first time in its history
The European Union has approved funding for joint defence procurement by its Member States for the first time in its history. This initiative envisages the purchase of missiles and ammunition, with part of the supply intended for Ukraine. The total funding amounts to EUR 300 million.
Each of the five selected projects, implemented within the framework of the European Defence Industrial Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), will receive EUR 60 million. Procurements will be made in three areas: air and missile defence systems; modern armoured vehicles; and ammunition.
LAW AND RULE OF LAW
Humanitarian aid and social support
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the European Union and the governments of Canada and Sweden, has opened 30 Social Adaptation Spaces. These facilities in Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Chernivtsi and Chernihiv oblasts will bring together community residents and help them to adapt to new life circumstances and the challenges of war. These spaces aim to create favourable conditions for reintegrating older people, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities into active society, and to ensure their socialisation. The Social Adaptation Spaces are equipped with everything they need: modern furniture, computers, projectors, televisions, and tablets.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
EUR 14.5 million EU-guarantee backed funding for the infrastructure of Mykolaiv and Dnipro
ЦEUR 14.5 million in EU-guarantee backed funding has been secured for the infrastructure of Mykolaiv and Dnipro. This financial support is part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package, through which over EUR 2 billion has already been provided to Ukraine since 2022. This latest loan will fund the restoration and modernisation of water supply and wastewater treatment systems and improve street lighting. “1 000 days of war marks a grim milestone, yet it reminds us of the unbreakable strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. The EIB’s support remains steadfast – from restoring vital municipal infrastructure to fostering economic recovery,” says EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska.
A start has been made:
Fastiv moves toward
a European waste management system
With support from the European Union, Fastiv in Kyiv Oblast has successfully modernised its waste management system. This is the first such initiative in Ukraine, led by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO).
“The EU prioritises waste prevention and considers landfills a last resort,” said Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “We hope these achievements inspire further positive changes in waste management practices in Fastiv and beyond.”
EDUCATION, SCIENCE, CULTURE
European integration of Ukrainian culture: New opportunities for Ukrainian artists
The main theme of the sixth International Cultural Grants Fair was international cooperation and the European Union’s support for the Ukrainian cultural sector, along with Ukraine’s role in the common European space. As Gilles Pelayo, Head of the Culture Unit at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), noted in a video address, the EU has directed over EUR 30 million to support Ukrainian culture since the start of Russia’s war. For the first time, it has dedicated part of the Creative Europe programme exclusively to Ukraine.
Not only textbooks and equipment: EU announces EUR 65 million pledge to support Ukraine’s school nutrition reform
“The EU has pledged EUR 65 million in budgetary support for the school meals programme to help the programme deployment and provide meals to more Ukrainian children next year,”