European Council President António Costa stated that EU leaders reached consensus on three major agreements regarding support for Ukraine during Thursday’s summit.
He announced this at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“We have said many times that we will support Ukraine as much as necessary for as long as it takes,” Costa said.
He noted that European leaders had achieved three important agreements on this matter.
“First, European Leaders committed to ensure that Ukraine’s financial needs will be covered for the next two years. We have asked the Commission to put forward ‘options’ as soon as possible, so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to continue defending itself and fight for a just and lasting peace in 2026 and 2027, if it’s necessary,” he stated.
Costa emphasized that Russia must take one thing into account: “Ukraine will have the financial resources it needs to defend itself against Russia’s aggression in the foreseeable future. Now the technical, legal and financial aspects of Europe’s support need to be worked on, and we will return to this issue in the December European Council.”
He added that the European Council had approved the 19th package of sanctions, which will further increase pressure on Russia and damage its war machine.
Member states also agreed to strengthen measures and coordination to counter Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
“We continue to use all means at our disposal to put Ukraine in a position of strength if and when negotiations with Putin start. We hope this moment comes soon. But no matter the circumstances, our message is clear: Europe will not let Ukraine down,” Costa concluded.
As reported earlier, in their conclusions on European defense and security following the Brussels summit, EU leaders reaffirmed the need for close cooperation with Ukraine and for its integration into Europe’s defense industry.