EU membership is strongest security commitment for Ukraine – Borrell

The EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said this after the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyiv.

“I proposed a new bilateral multi-annual envelope under the European Peace Facility (EPF), of up to €5 billion for the next year, [and] more will come. I hope that we can reach an agreement before the end of the year when the Member States have to agree on the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework,” he said.

Borrell added that the EU continues to provide training for Ukrainian soldiers.

"The target today is to train 40,000 soldiers in the upcoming months, and this includes specialised training for fighter jets’ pilots. We are also working on strengthening the cooperation between the European and the Ukrainian defence industries. You had an important meeting here in Kyiv a few days ago. And we will continue working on increasing resilience, cyber defence and defence against hybrid threats such as disinformation and developing a common strategic communication," Borrell emphasized.

The EU's chief diplomat also emphasized that it is essential to develop support for demining and mine action, which is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's economic recovery and state reconstruction.

"We are also discussing further promoting comprehensive reform of the law enforcement sector, accountability, and resilience, mainly via the strengthening of the existing EU Advisory Mission (EUAM Ukraine) that I had the opportunity to visit in Odesa. And, for sure, the strongest security commitment that we can give to Ukraine, is the European Union membership. This is the strongest security commitment for Ukraine. Now Ukraine is a candidate country, and it is going further on this path," he said.

• After an unannounced visit to Odesa, Josep Borrell arrived in Kyiv. On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, October 1, the EU High Representative, together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took part in events honoring the defenders.

• In addition, Borrell said that the EU's support for Ukraine in the defense sector has reached EUR 25 billion, and the total amount of assistance, including military, civilian and humanitarian aid, is EUR 85 billion.

• On Monday, October 2, an informal meeting of the European Union's Foreign Ministers began in the Ukrainian capital, the first ever outside the EU.