Brussels: The European Union's steadfast support for Ukraine was reiterated by Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Ra?una, at the press conference she gave in the context of the General Affairs Council, which took place today in Brussels. She stressed that the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine, particularly at a time when attacks on critical infrastructure are intensifying and humanitarian needs are increasing. She added that the Cypriot Presidency has made the issue a top priority.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ra?una announced the formal adoption of the regulations for the Support Loan to Ukraine and the Ukraine Facilitation Instrument. She noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kompos, signed the relevant legislative acts today together with the President of the European Parliament. The Deputy Minister stressed that the £90 billion loan aims to strengthen Ukraine's financial capacity so that it can continue its courageous resistance against a war initiated by Russia. She stated that Ukraine needs the certainty provided by this loan to be in the best possible position to defend its sovereignty and achieve a just and lasting peace, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. "As the Presidency, we are ready to continue our work to proceed as quickly as possible with all elements of the loan framework," she added.
She recalled that the relevant decision had been unanimously adopted at the European Council level in December. Regarding the preparations for the European Council in March, Ra?una noted that leaders are expected to discuss, among other things, Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness and the single market, the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), European defense and security, and migration. She highlighted that special attention will be given to competitiveness and the deepening of the single market.
According to Ra?una, today's discussion also addressed issues such as the '28th regime,' investments, the Union of Savings and Investments, energy prices, trade diversification, and the reduction of strategic dependencies. She stated that the goal is to achieve significant progress in 2026, while the Eurozone Summit will also take place within the same framework.
Regarding Ukraine, Ra?una said that leaders will review the situation on the ground in March, as well as the military, political, and diplomatic dimensions, while the country's financial, technical, and humanitarian needs will also be discussed. "Leaders will discuss international efforts for peace and further measures to increase pressure on Russia," she added.
On the next MFF, she noted that the Presidency's objective is to advance work towards drafting a negotiating package with indicative figures by the end of its term. She added that technical work is ongoing, aiming to present a balanced negotiating framework by June 2026.
Ra?una also referred to the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, noting that a working lunch was held with the participation of the European Commission, during which the Centre's mission and priorities for 2026 were presented. She stressed that, for the Cypriot Presidency, the protection of democracy is a clear political priority. "The fact that this is the second special discussion demonstrates the importance we attach to promoting the European Democracy Shield in a coherent and functional way, in close cooperation with the Commission," she said.
Concluding, Ra?una announced that the Council had approved a decision to sign a package of agreements between the EU and Switzerland, aimed at deepening and broadening bilateral relations in areas such as electricity, health security, and food safety, as well as enhancing opportunities for researchers and students through EU programs.
During the press conference, when asked about the 20th sanctions package against Russia, Ra?una said that over the past four years, the EU has provided a total of over £190 billion in support to Ukraine, noting that the course of this support has not been easy given the challenges that arose at each stage. Regarding the new sanctions package, she stressed that it is an extensive measure that includes some innovative elements, and that consultations for its completion will continue as a matter of priority.