Brussels, 29 June 2023
On 29 June 2023, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine and security and defence.
European Council conclusions on Ukraine and security and defence, 29 June 2023
The European Council held an exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg on EU-NATO cooperation and Euro-Atlantic security, in particular following the signature of the third joint declaration on 10 January 2023.
I. UKRAINE
1. The European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and recalls the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian The European Union will continue to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.
2. The European Council reconfirms the EU’s readiness to provide sustainable military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes, notably through the EU Military Assistance Mission and the European Peace Facility. It took stock of the progress in the delivery and joint procurement of one million rounds of artillery ammunition and missiles for Ukraine. It underlines the importance of Member States’ continued efforts to help meet Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States, and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.
3. The European Union and Member States stand ready to contribute, together with partners, to future security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine defend itself in the long term, deter acts of aggression and resist destabilisation efforts. In this regard, they will swiftly consider the modalities of such contribution. These commitments will be taken in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States. The European Council will remain seized of the matter.
4. The European Council condemns in the strongest terms the deliberate destruction of the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, which has devastating humanitarian, ecological, agricultural and economic repercussions and puts at risk the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The European Union and its Member States stand ready to provide further support to Ukraine, in addition to the emergency assistance for relief efforts provided via the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The European Union fully supports the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work to strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.
5. The European Union and its Member States will intensify their diplomatic outreach efforts and continue to cooperate with Ukraine and other countries to ensure the widest possible international support for the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including through an upcoming Global Peace Summit. Any initiative for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine must be based on full respect for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised
6. The European Council underlines the need to ensure, together with partners, stable, predictable and sustainable financial support for Ukraine for the years to come. The European Council reiterates its call for the European Investment Bank, in close cooperation with the Commission and International Financial Institutions, to step up its support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs. The European Union also remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners, including in the areas of psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and demining assistance. Moreover, the European Council took stock of the work done regarding Russia’s immobilised assets, and invites the Council, the High Representative and the Commission to take work forward, in accordance with EU and international law, and in coordination with partners.
7. The European Union remains firmly committed to ensuring that Russia is held fully accountable for its war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Council welcomes the fact that the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) is ready to start its support operations. The European Council took stock of efforts to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine, including work done in the Core Group, and calls for the work to continue. The tribunal should enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy. The European Council welcomes the adoption of the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes, and calls on all countries to become parties to the Convention as soon as possible. The European Council also welcomes the establishment of the Council of Europe’s Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine and calls for work to continue.
8. The European Council condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia and to Belarus of Ukrainian children and other It calls on the Russian Federation and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return.
9. The European Council discussed efforts to further increase pressure on Russia in order to weaken its ability to wage its war of aggression, including through sanctions, their full and effective implementation and the prevention of their circumvention. In this context, it welcomes the adoption of the 11th package of sanctions. The European Council calls on the co-legislators to swiftly finalise work on the proposed Directive approximating criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive
10. The European Council condemns the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by Iran and Belarus. Belarus must stop allowing Russian armed forces to use its territory, including for the deployment of tactical nuclear Iran must stop providing drones to Russia.
11. The European Council acknowledges Ukraine’s commitment and substantial efforts to meet the required conditions in its EU accession process. It encourages Ukraine to continue on its path of The European Union will continue to work closely with Ukraine and support its efforts to fully meet all conditions.
12. The European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and in reform efforts on its European path. The European Council acknowledges the Republic of Moldova’s commitment and substantial efforts to meet the required conditions in its EU accession process. It welcomes the recently presented support package and launch of the civilian EU Partnership Mission. It commends the Republic of Moldova for the successful organisation of the second European Political Community Summit on 1 June 2023.
13. The European Council takes note of the steps recently taken by the Georgian The European Union will continue to work closely with Georgia to support it in meeting the required conditions to advance on its European path.
14. Russia continues to weaponise food, thus undermining global food The European Council is deeply concerned by the continued slowdown in the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and calls for the swift and full resumption of its operations. The EU’s Solidarity Lanes remain instrumental in bolstering global food security.
15. The European Union reiterates its commitment to reinforce support for displaced persons, both in Ukraine and in the European Union, including through adequate and flexible financial assistance to the Member States who carry the largest burden of the medical, education and living costs of refugees.
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III. SECURITY AND DEFENCE
24. The European Council took stock of work carried out to implement its previous conclusions, the March 2022 Versailles Declaration and the Strategic
25. The European Council recalls the need to strengthen the technological and industrial base of the European defence sector and to make it more innovative, competitive and resilient, in particular in a new strategic environment which requires defence readiness and a significant increase in Europe’s long-term strategic capacity to take more responsiblity for its own defence.
26. In this regard, the European Council:
a) calls for work to be taken forward on all strands of action for the delivery and joint procurement of ammunition and missiles, notably on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) with a view to its swift adoption;
b) welcomes the agreement reached on the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA);
c) calls on the Commission to present a proposal for a European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) to reinforce the capacity and resilience of the European defence technological and industrial base, including SMEs.
27. The European Council welcomes the decision to further increase the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility by EUR 3.5 billion in order to preserve the global geographical scope of the Facility, to continue providing military support to Ukraine and to maintain the Union’s ability to prevent and swiftly respond to crises and conflicts and to build capacity through its training missions.
28. The European Council welcomes the progress in the implementation of the Strategic Compass, including as regards cyber security and defence, hybrid threats, military mobility, space and maritime It also welcomes work undertaken to strengthen Civilian CSDP, in particular the recent approval of the new Civilian CSDP Compact.
29. The European Council welcomes the work on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence and on the review of the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox to strengthen the ability to prevent, deter and respond to cyberattacks.