EC standing together with the people of Ukraine;
Credit: EC
On Thursday 2 February 2023, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, for a College-to-Government meeting with the Government of Ukraine, together with 15 other members of the College of Commissioners.
Accompanying the President for this visit were:
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age;
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People;
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President for a Stronger Europe in the World;
Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight;
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency;
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life;
Nicolas Schmit (of Luxembourg), Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights;
Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy;
Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture;
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice;
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs;
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management;
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement;
Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries;
Mairead McGuinness, and Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.
The visit of the College of Commissioners is a strong symbol of the Commission’s support for Ukraine in the face of what the European Commisison called Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression.
The meeting between the Commission and the Ukrainian Government was an opportunity to exchange on the many areas of cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, and discuss the upcoming reconstruction as well as the country’s path to EU membership. It was also an opportunity to deepen further cooperation with Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated "With the visit of the College to Kyiv, the EU is sending today a very clear message to Ukraine and beyond about our collective strength and resolve in the face of Russia's brutal aggression. We will continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. And we will continue to impose a heavy price on Russia until it ceases its aggression. Ukraine can count on Europe to help rebuild a more resilient country, that progresses on its path to join the EU".
The meeting sent a strong signal of the EU's unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes, including with a new €450 million assistance package for 2023 announced during the visit. With this, the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions have made available around €50 billion to Ukraine, since the beginning of Russia's war. In addition to this, the Commission is working towards a €1 billion contribution to fast recovery.
The College to Government meeting co-chaired by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Shmyhal, took stock of the EU's ongoing support to Ukraine in different areas, including financial, humanitarian, energy, budget support, diplomatic outreach, as well as of the reform efforts by Ukraine to advance on its EU path, and outlined further steps to enhance sectorial cooperation in a number of areas.
President von der Leyen also met President Zelensky to discuss key issues on the EU-Ukraine agenda.
In addition to the up to €18 billion of macro-financial assistance for 2023, the EU announced a further €450 million of assistance that includes:
- €305 million in bilateral support to increase Ukraine’s resilience and support reforms
- €145 million in humanitarian assistance
