Firstly, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its continued support for Ukraine, with the resolution of support approved at its first session in July.
Europe must stand united to stop Russia's brutal war, which is now in its third year.
It is a blatant violation of international law, and also represents an existential challenge to the European security architecture. Ukraine is fighting for its very existence, exercising its inherent right to defend itself under the UN Charter. Ukraine's fight is also a fight for Europe. Unless stopped, Putin's regime could easily try to attack other countries, possibly even EU Member States. So we cannot take European security for granted.
Ukraine continues to need urgent military assistance to defend itself. It also needs support to maintain liquidity, continue its exports through the EU via the Solidarity Lanes. Meanwhile, even in wartime, it is continuing its efforts at reform on its path to EU membership.
Ukraine's people, both those remaining in the country and those who seek temporary protection in the EU, still need emergency and humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, this winter is not going to be easy for them, since Ukraine faces targeted Russian attacks on its energy supplies and infrastructure.
While Ukraine is working against the clock to repair this damage, there is a cumulative effect. According to the UN, the damage inflicted by Russian bombing could potentially deprive Ukraine's civilian population of services that it needs to survive ahead of winter.
On all those issues, the EU and its Member States have mobilized aid and resources on an unprecedented scale, and will continue to help Ukraine.
By now, the overall assistance to Ukraine and its people by the EU and its Member States amounts to around €118 billion. This figure includes:
- almost €14 billion mobilized under the EU Ukraine Facility, which comprises macro-financial support, de-risking instruments to mobilize private investments, and technical assistance;
- €25.2 billion in EU macro-financial assistance, to keep the Ukrainian state afloat and facilitate reforms;
- €17 billion made available to EU Member States in the context of supporting those fleeing the war;
- €12.2 billion of grants, loans and guarantees provided by EU Member States;
And apart from the assistance provided via the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other loans supported by EU guarantees, the EU's humanitarian and emergency assistance, our support for reforms and resilience and, as I mentioned, the support via Autonomous Trade Measures and the Solidarity Lanes.
Further, the EU and its Member States have so far mobilized around €43.5 billion in military support, of which €6.1 billion comes from the European Peace Facility. This includes a wide variety of arms necessary for Ukraine to repel Russian attacks.
Member States are working on a joint initiative to deliver one million ammunition shells and have reached around 70% of this goal. Czechia is coordinating an effective ammunition initiative.
Increasing production of ammunition and enhancing European defence industrial capacity is key to ensure long-term assistance to Ukraine and also to replenish Member States' stocks. The €500 million Act in Support of Ammunition Production – or ASAP - is bearing fruit. The production capacity of 155 mm ammunition of EU Member States is expected to reach at least 1.4 million shells per year by the end of 2024.
There are more examples of EU Member States to mobilize military support to Ukraine. We can also name the Drone Coalition, launched by Latvia and co-chaired by the U.K.
Recently, initial deliveries of F16s took place from a number of Member States that joined the international F16 coalition. These aircraft will be very important for protecting European skies, cities and civilians against Russian missiles and bombs.
In November 2022, the EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine, or EUMAM, was launched and has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers on EU territory. The new target is to train a further 15,000 by the end of winter, meaning a total of 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained. The EUMAM strategic review is ongoing to adapt the mission to the evolving circumstances and to Ukrainian needs. We will coordinate closely with the NATO's Security and Assistance Training for Ukraine.
The first tranche of windfall profits from frozen Russian assets has now been mobilized. Close to €1.4 billion have already been channeled through the European Peace Facility to deliver priority equipment, including artillery ammunition and air defence, as well as – for the first time – procurement from the Ukrainian defence industry. Work has proceeded very swiftly, and contracts have been signed with several EU Member States that serve as Implementing Actors. We expect the majority of deliveries to take place before the end of the year.
The Commission is also working on implementing the G7 decision to provide Ukraine with $50 billion of financing – which is approximately €46 billion - backed by the prospective revenues from immobilized Russian assets.
This unique loan package will allow Ukraine to cover its immediate needs, ensure macroeconomic stability, and provide the country with the financial resources needed to withstand Russia's intensified aggression. The Kremlin will pay directly for the damage caused by its brutal war.
We will present our proposal to the European Parliament and Council shortly and we will need your urgent support to get this through quickly.
Dear Members, I will be happy to give you more details in our questions and answers session. But one thing is clear: the EU will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes - and hopefully as quickly and effectively as possible - because it is existential for our European future as well. Thank you.
