Today, four years ago Russia started its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Once again, we pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, who continue to resist
and defend their country.
Russia has not achieved its military objectives in Ukraine. As Russia cannot advance on the battle ground, it deliberately targets Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools and residential buildings in the midst of a severe winter. Ukrainians remain formidable in their fortitude, determination and resilience.
The European Union has stood firmly with Ukraine and its people from the very first day of Russia's aggression. Our objective is a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace – a peace with dignity and long-term security. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. No country can annex its neighbour. Borders cannot be changed by force. The aggressor cannot be rewarded. In the current challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine.
The European Union will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. We remain Ukraine's biggest donor. In addition to the close to EUR 200 billion of support since 2022, European leaders have agreed to provide to Ukraine EUR 90 billion in 2026-27 to help ensuring that Ukraine can meet its urgent budgetary and defence needs and remain strong in the face of Russia's attacks. EUR 60 billion of this support package will be spent on military needs (the “Porcupine programme”). The first payment will be made as soon as possible.
This winter, the EU and its Member States have delivered unprecedented energy assistance to Ukraine, alongside air defence and anti-drone systems, as well as humanitarian aid. A new support package for emergency delivery of generators and humanitarian aid. To enhance Ukraine's energy resilience and avoid a repeat of today's emergency, we are working with Ukraine on a new energy security and preparedness plan focusing on repair of and reinforcement of grids, quick restart of damaged power plants and rapid deployment of decentralised renewables power production.
Putin's war of attrition is steadily wearing Russia down, and we are determined to put further pressure on Russia to stop its aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace. We are determined to increase the pressure on Russia's energy and financial sector and to take additional measures against the shadow fleet.
But our efforts in support of Ukraine also look to the day after – when the fighting ends. The European Union and its Member States, in line with their respective competences, are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees to ensure that Russia can never attack Ukraine again.
We will make sure that Russia will be held accountable for the crimes committed and the damage it has caused. We are committed to operationalising the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, both within the framework of the Council of Europe, as soon as possible.
The future of a secure and prosperous Ukraine lies in the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress on the EU accession reforms under very challenging circumstances. Ukraine can count on our full support on its EU accession and its post-war reconstruction.
We stand firm with Ukraine. For a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe.