Brussels, 2 October 2023
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Thank you, Dmytro [Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine]. Thank you for hosting us and thank you for inviting me yesterday to participate in the events to honour the Ukrainian combatants.
Today, the Ministers [for Foreign Affairs] of the European Union travel to Kyiv to hold this meeting.
These kinds of meetings are called “informal” because, first, they are out of the premises of the European Union, and secondly, because they are considered a high-level political debate that does not have the aim of reaching concrete conclusions and decisions, but it is the kind of brainstorming that we need to do – among us, and together with you – in order to look at the situation of the war against Ukraine, how the European Union is supporting Ukraine, and how we will continue doing that.
We will study the Peace Plan Formula, [President’s] Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, in order to gather more support around the world and prepare the next [Peace] Summit.
All my colleagues came here, dear Dmytro, with the will to show, to express and prove their commitment and the commitment of the European Union to continue supporting you in the war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine.
Q&A
Q. How concerned are you about the apparent movements of the US Congressional support for Ukraine? Does this mean that Europeans need to do more? Should Ukraine hold presidential elections in 2024?
I am sure too. As you said it is about the stability and predictability of the war, because this war is having deep consequences for the whole world. But for us Europeans, it is an existential threat. Maybe it is not being seen like that by everybody around the world, but for us European – allow me to repeat it – it is an existential threat. That is why we have to continue supporting you and discussing with our American allies and friends for them too [to] continue supporting you. I am sure that this decision will be reconsidered, and all together we will be on your side.
About the elections in Ukraine, it is not my business. I am in charge of the foreign affairs and relations of the European Union, not the internal politics of any Member State, [and] much less of Ukraine.
Link to the video (starting at 1:30): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-247019
Source – EEAS
France: Catherine Colonna’s participation in the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers with Ukraine in Kyiv
Paris, 2 October 2023
Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is taking part in the informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers with Ukraine, which is being held exceptionally in Kyiv. As the Minister has pointed out, this first is a sign of the European Union’s resolute support for Ukraine.
Building on the efforts made in the high-level week of the 74th United Nations General Assembly, the ministers will talk to their Ukrainian colleague Mr Dmytro Kuleba about continuing Europe’s support for Ukraine in every field. As the European Union pledged at the European Council of 29-30 June 2023 and in the declaration of 12 July 2023, this support is baked into the long term. Mme Colonna will emphasize the importance of defining the parameters for lasting support, particularly at military level, based on Ukraine’s needs.
Mme Colonna will call for progress on establishing a form of European backing for Ukraine’s reforms and reconstruction that supports Ukraine’s prospects for joining the European Union.
The Minister will also recall the significant efforts made by the European Union, particularly through the Solidarity Lanes, to ensure Ukraine is capable of exporting its agricultural production and contributing to global food security. The ministers will discuss the support of global partners, as Russia continues to turn food security into a political weapon.
Source – French Government