EU leaders underline support for Ukraine
EU leaders expressed their support for the peace plan announced last week by Ukrainian President Poroshenko. At their European Council meeting in Brussels they called on all parties to commit to the implementation of the plan and to cement the cessation of the military activities in Ukraine.
Ahead of the European Council the EU and Ukraine signed the remaining parts of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, a step that will bring the country significantly closer politically and economically to the EU.
EU support for Ukraine was the topic of the lunchtime debate of EU heads of state and government meeting in Brussels on 27 June for the European Council. Leaders expressed their support for President Poroshenko's peace plan. They took note of the Russian President's declaration of support of the peace plan and the Federation Council's decision to revoke the authorisation to use Russian forces to intervene militarily in Ukraine. EU leaders urged Russia to actively use its influence over the illegally armed groups and to stop the flow of weapons and militants across the border. The EU supports the OSCE monitoring the implementation of the peace plan as well as its role in supporting the cease-fire and the establishment of effective border controls.
The EU is committed to supporting economic stabilisation in Ukraine. So far the Commission has made available 750 million EUR in the framework of the State Building Contract between the EU and Ukraine. A high level donor coordination meeting in Brussels on 8 July will raise additional funds to support the country. The European Commission, the European External Action Service and the Member States have also been preparing work on targeted measures , as requested by EU leaders in March. This way the EU can take further steps without delay. EU leaders expect following steps to be taken by Monday 30 June: agreement to verify the ceasefire and border control, monitored by the OSCE; the return to the Ukrainian authorities of the three border checkpoints (Izvarino, Dolzhanskiy, Krasnopartizansk); the release of hostages including all of the OSCE observers; and the launch of substantial negotiations on the implementation of President Poroshenko's peace plan.
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