Brussels – Three years into Russia’s war in Ukraine, the stakes have never been higher. As US President Donald Trump jeopardises transatlantic unity in supporting Kyiv, the EU is doubling down. Its aim, as EU High Representative Kaja Kallas put it after the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February, is to ensure Ukraine is “in a position of strength, so that it can say ‘no’ to a bad deal.”
In a powerful show of solidarity, almost all the College of Commissioners travelled to Kyiv, marking 1,096 days since the full-scale invasion began. Beyond symbolic gestures, the visit underscored the EU’s commitment to both immediate aid and long-term partnership. When asked which country should be next to join the bloc, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos was unequivocal: “Ukraine, immediately.”
“I would even say that if Ukraine maintains its current speed and the merit-based process, it could potentially join the EU even before 2030,” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The College in Kyiv
“The war in Ukraine remains the most central and consequential crisis for Europe’s future,” declared President von der Leyen, at the opening of the High-Level meeting in Kyiv, marking the start of the College of Commissioners’ visit to the Ukrainian capital. Of the 27 European Commissioners, 22 made the journey to Kyiv, while four were absent for various commitments. Only one of them did not have solid justification.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica attended the foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, while Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen was present at the EU agriculture ministers’ summit, also in Brussels. Meanwhile, Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis is expected to travel to the United States for official meeting on 25 February. Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Hungarian Olivér Várhelyi, stayed behind to address a note filed by Slovakia concerning hunting dogs, despite European Commissioners not being required to attend such debates.
“Putin’s goal remains Ukraine’s capitulation. And then we know what could happen next, because it has already happened before,” President von der Leyen emphasised, highlighting that “it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake, it is Europe’s destiny.” Despite the shifting stance of their US partner, EU’s “first” priority remains bolstering Ukraine’s resistance. This includes “security guarantees, reconstruction, and a clear path to EU membership,” as Commissioner Kos reiterated: “The EU has made its choice, Ukraine belongs with us. Now, we must follow through.”
The EU support to Ukraine
In the past three years, the EU and its Member States have committed over €134 billion in financial, military, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, alongside $50 billion pledged by G7 nations through 2026. “That is more than anybody else,” President von der Leyen remarked, responding to Trump’s false claim that the US is the largest contributor to Kyiv’s support.
In February 2024, the Ukraine Facility allocated €50 billion for recovery, reconstruction, modernisation, and reforms. “A new €3.5 billion payment for Ukraine will be disbursed in March,” the President of the European Commission confirmed during her visit to Kyiv.
In parallel, the EU is focused on increasing the supply of weapons and ammunition. “This will be at the heart of our work in the coming weeks,” von der Leyen stated, referring to discussions in Brussels on a military aid package worth at least €20 billion. HRVP Kallas noted “broad support for the initiative” among the 27 ministers for Foreign Affairs, with decisions expected soon: “We don’t have time, we have to show that we can deliver.”
For this reason, President of the European Council António Costa has convened a special European Council meeting on 6 March. Ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security and strengthening European defence will be the two primary topics of discussion. “In my consultations with European leaders, I have heard a shared commitment to meet those challenges at EU level,” Costa emphasised, promising to intensify efforts with all Member States this week to “take decisions” on 6 March.
President von der Leyen has signalled that she will present “a comprehensive plan” on scaling up European arms production and defence capabilities. Meanwhile, HRVP Kallas clarified that the scale of European aid—encompassing military hardware such as artillery shells and missiles, as well as financial support—should be decided at the upcoming meeting of EU leaders next week.
A new wave of sanctions
While the College of Commissioners met in Kyiv, EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The latest measures target 48 individuals and 35 entities, including arms manufacturers producing weapons, ammunition, and military technologies.
In total, EU sanctions now apply to over 2,400 individuals and entities. Those targeted face asset freezes, a ban on EU citizens and companies conducting financial transactions with them, and, in the case of individuals, travel bans preventing entry or transit through EU Member States.
A key focus of this package is cracking down on shadow fleets transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products. The EU has now imposed full-scale sanctions on three entities found to be circumventing energy-related restrictions.
For the first time, the Council has also sanctioned Garantex, a Russian-based cryptocurrency exchange, alongside a Chinese firm supplying satellite imagery to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
In a further push against Kremlin propaganda, the EU has banned NewsFront and SouthFront—two outlets accused of distorting history and spreading manipulated narratives in line with Moscow’s messaging—adding them to the existing blacklist alongside Sputnik and Russia Today.
