The EU Council on Monday agreed to set up a military assistance mission to further support the Ukrainian armed forces.
“The aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations, in order to allow Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect civilians,” an EU Council statement said.
The council also adopted additional assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to further support the “capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” another statement said.
It said the sixth tranche worth €500 million ($487 million) will now bring the total EU contribution under the EPF for Kyiv to €3.1 billion.
The assistance measures include €490 million for military equipment designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes, and €10 million intended to cover the provision of equipment and supplies, it said.
“We raise EU military assistance to €3.1 billion & launch the EU military training mission for #Ukraine. Russia’s latest indiscriminate attacks will not shake our determination to support Ukraine, it will only reinforce it,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.
“Russia’s latest indiscriminate attacks will not shake our determination to support Ukraine, it will only reinforce it,” Borrell added.
Previous assistance measures under the EPF for Kyiv were agreed on Feb. 28, March 23, April 13, May 23 and July 21 during this year.
-AA