• On 24 February, the third anniversary of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement which reads:
“The European Union and its partners have acted swiftly and in a united manner to support Ukraine. The European Union has provided Ukraine with economic, humanitarian, financial and military assistance totaling €135 billion, including €48.7 billion in military aid. The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support, including for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
Ukraine is part of our European family. The Ukrainians have expressed their wish for a future within the European Union. We have recognized this by granting Ukraine candidate status and by launching accession negotiations.
In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we underline the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine. We emphasize the need to ensure that the international community continues to focus on supporting Ukraine to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula.”
• The European Commission held an informal videoconference meeting on 26 February to hear an update from French President Emmanuel Macron on his meeting with US President Donald Trump. European leaders agreed that they must stand together in the face of the United States’ drift regarding “the Russian invasion of Ukraine”.
• High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas travelled to Washington to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The meeting was cancelled at the last minute by Mr. Rubio’s office, officially due to an overbooked schedule.
• Ms. Kallas said that, as a replacement, she would meet with “senators and members of Congress to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine and transatlantic relations.”
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