Ukraine Joins European Peace Facility

The Council of the European Union adopted the final decision to launch practical cooperation with Ukraine under the newly established European Peace Facility (EPF).

“The new financial mechanism of the European Union opens up prospects for third countries, including Ukraine, to attract financial resources to strengthen the institutional defence capabilities of our country. Ukrainian diplomacy made persistent and systematic efforts to achieve this result, and we finally have a positive decision. I am grateful to the EU for it,” Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said following a meeting of the Council of EU, at which the decision was adopted.

According to the minister, the cooperation will be long-term and is designed for 2021-2027.

“Today’s decision is unique. Its adoption was made possible due to a long and fruitful discussion of Ukrainian diplomats with the institutions of the European Union and its Member States. The EUR 31 million package of assistance to Ukraine, allocated by the Council of the EU, will include the provision of logistics assistance for the development and reinforcement of the capacities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the minister stressed.

In particular, the resources will be channeled into engineering capabilities and mine clearance, mobility, and logistics, cyber security.

It is expected that the implementation will begin soon.

“The decision to start cooperation within the EPF demonstrated the strategic nature of Ukraine’s relations with the European Union. It is especially significant against the background of our state’s resistance to the existing security challenges related to the protection of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders,” Kuleba concluded.

Natalia Tolub