Opening statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, on a continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States. MEPs are calling for continued military and financial support for Ukraine in a resolution expected on Thursday. Ahead of the vote, Parliament is holding a debate with the Commission. In July, the newly-elected Parliament adopted its first resolution of the term, stating that the EU must support Ukraine until it wins against Russia’s occupying forces. This latest resolution reaffirms that commitment, urging EU countries to maintain their backing for Kyiv. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

DOMBROVSKIS, Valdis (EPP, LV, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States: opening statement by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Chair, Honourable Members. Firstly, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its continued support for Ukraine with the resolution of support approved in its first session in July. Europe must stand united to stop Russia's brutal war, which is now in its third year. It is a blatant violation of international law and represents existential challenge also for European security architecture.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Ukraine is fighting for its very existence, exercising its inherent right to defend itself under the UN Charter. Ukraine's fight is also a fight for Europe. Unless stop, Putin's regime could easily try to attack other countries, possibly even EU member states. So we cannot take European security for granted. Ukraine continues to need urgent military assistance to defend itself, and it also needs support to maintain liquidity, continue its exports through the EU via solidarity lanes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Meanwhile, even in wartime, it is continuing its efforts at reform on its path to the EU membership. Ukraine's people, both those remaining in the country and those who seek temporary protection in the EU, still need emergency and humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, this winter is not going to be easy for them, since Ukraine faces targeted Russian attacks on its energy supplies and infrastructure. While Ukraine is working against the clock to repair its this damage, there is a cumulative effect, according to the UN.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, The damage inflicted by Russian bombing could potentially deprive Ukraine's civilian population of services that it needs to survive ahead of winter on all those issues. The EU and its member States have mobilised aid and resources on an unprecedented scale and will continue to help Ukraine by now. Overall assistance to Ukraine and its people by the EU and its member states amounts to around €118 billion.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, This figure includes almost €14 billion mobilised under, say, Ukraine, a facility which comprises macro financial support, de-risking instruments to mobilise private investments and technical assistance to a €5.2 billion in macro financial assistance to keep the Ukrainian state afloat and facilitate reforms. €17 billion made available to EU Member States in a context of supporting those fleeing the war. €12.2 billion of grants, loans and guarantees provided by EU Member States and a part of assistance provided via European Investment Bank as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other loans supported by EU guarantees.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, The EU Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance. Our support for reforms and resilience and, as I mentioned, support via autonomous trade measures and solidarity links some further. The EU and its Member States have so far mobilised around €43.5 billion in military support, of which €6.1 billion comes from that European peace facility. This includes a wide variety of arms necessary for Ukraine to repel Russian attacks. Member states are working on a joint initiative to deliver 1 million ammunition shells and have reached around 70% of this goal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Czechia is coordinating an effective ammunition initiative, increasing production of ammunition and enhancing European defence. Industrial capacity is key to ensure long term assistance to Ukraine and also to replenish member states stocks. The €500 million Act in support of ammunition production is bearing fruit. The production capacity of 155 millimetre ammunition of EU member states is expected to reach at least 1.4 million shells per year by the end of this year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, There are more examples for EU Member states to mobilise military support to Ukraine. We can also name a drone coalition launched by Latvia and co-chaired by the UK. Recently initial deliveries of F-16s took place from a number of member states that joined the International F-16 coalition. These aircraft will be very important for protecting European skies, cities and civilians against Russian missiles and bombs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, In November 2022, the EU Military Assistance mission to Ukrainewas launched and has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers on EU territory. The new target is to train a further 15,000 by the end of the winter, meaning a total of 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained. The Human Strategic Review is ongoing to adapt the mission to the evolving circumstances and Ukrainian needs. We will coordinate closely with NATO's security assistance training for Ukraine. The first tranche of windfall profits from frozen Russian assets has now been mobilised.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Close to €1.4 billion have already been channelled through the European Peace Facility to deliver priority equipment, including artillery, ammunition and air defence, as well as for first time procurement from the Ukrainian defence industry. Work has processed very swiftly and contracts will be signed with several EU member states that serve as implementing actors. We expect the majority of deliveries to take place before the end of the year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, The Commission is also working on implementing the G7 decision to provide Ukraine with $50 billion of financing, which is approximately €46 billion, backed by prospective revenues from immobilised Russian assets. This unique loan package will allow Ukraine to cover its immediate needs, ensure macroeconomic stability and provides the country with financial resources needed to withstand Russia's intensified aggression. The Cremlin will directly for the damage caused by its brutal war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, We will present our proposal to the European Parliament and Council shortly and we will need your urgent support to get this through quickly. Dear Members, I will be happy to give you more details in our question and answer session. But one thing is clear. The EU will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes, and hopefully as quickly and as effectively as possible because it is existential for our European future as well. Thank you.