European Council: agreement on support to Ukraine. Michel, “steadfast funding”. Von der Leyen, “good day for Europe”

In a Brussels besieged by farmers protesting against the Common Agricultural Policy and the Green Deal (with tractors blocking roads, fires lit, a historic statue damaged and eggs thrown at the European Parliament), the 27 Heads of State and Government have come to an agreement to finance Ukraine. Indeed, those present at the European Council unanimously gave the green light – something which was not a foregone conclusion. And the opposition of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had obstructed all decisions at the December Summit, was finally overcome. The mediation of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, as well as of the leaders of France, Germany and Italy was instrumental in achieving this result. “All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget”, Michel said at the end of the talks. “This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine”. From Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision with gratitude. “It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity”. According to Zelensky, the EU’s financial support to Ukraine “will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions pressure on Russia”. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, too, expressed satisfaction with the agreement – on a day that should have been focused on the revision of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework. “The European Council delivered on our priorities. Supporting Ukraine. Fighting illegal migration. Supporting European competitiveness. A good day for Europe”.
Valentina Bombelli