Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn travelled to Kyiv on Monday in the company of other European Union diplomats. “This is a historic visit, never before has the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs met in a country at war”, he declared on Tuesday, emphasizing its symbolic significance in demonstrating solidarity and commitment.
The situation on the ground in Ukraine remains complex. The counter-offensive launched in June is making less progress than it did last autumn when Kharkiv and Kherson were retaken. The Russians have since had time to reinforce their defences by building defensive lines, laying mines, and destroying infrastructure.
At present, 18% of Ukrainian territory is occupied by Russia. Ukraine officials estimates that to date 277,000 Russian soldiers have been seriously wounded or have lost their lives. According to other estimates, the war has cost the lives of just as many Ukrainian soldiers.
In addition to the situation on the ground, Ukraine’s relationship with its allies is far from stable. For instance, in the United States, Republican lawmakers have blocked aid to Ukraine for 45 days.
Since Russia suspended the grain agreement in July, alternative routes have been explored. Goods are now expected to arrive via the Danube corridor in northern Europe for distribution. However, Poland is currently blocking this deal, including transit.
Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn believes that the “commitment to Ukraine must be maintained”.
Eleven packages of sanctions have been imposed on Russia to date. The first eight packages targeted 1,500 individuals and 250 companies, resulting in the freezing of €6.2 billion in Luxembourg. Ukrainians are now advocating for a twelfth package of sanctions, which should also address Russia’s profits from the civil nuclear sector.
As for financial aid to Ukraine, the European Union has allocated €6.5 billion for Ukraine’s defense. However, Hungary has been blocking the release of eight €500 million instalments for months. Jean Asselborn has not yet provided specific details about the €20 billion ‘European Peace Facility’ fund intended for Ukraine’s defence. Each country is expected to contribute to this fund outside of the EU budget. Additionally, the European Union intends to allocate €50 million for reconstruction efforts.
In relation to Ukraine’s aspiration to become a part of the European Union, Jean Asselborn has affirmed that the country’s determination to progress remains unwavering, even in the midst of wartime. He mentioned that there have been new initiatives to reform the constitutional court and the judicial system. However, some areas, like decentralisation, have yet to be addressed.
Minister Asselborn concluded by saying that he sees no diplomatic solution on the horizon: “This is a war of aggression that only one person can stop, and his name is Putin. The Ukrainians cannot stop this war.” Halting arms deliveries would not lead to the end of the war, but to the end of Ukraine, noted Asselborn.
