European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met officials in Kyiv this week as Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least five civilians. In their attacks, Russian forces fired cruise and ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones at targets, injuring 10 others, including a pregnant woman.
Borrell arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday on a trip to underline the EU’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine as the war nears its third year.
Borrell said his talks in Kyiv would discuss support for Ukraine on both the military and financial sides, as well as Kyiv’s progress on its reform path in its bid to join the 27-member bloc.
The arrival of Borrell, who is on his fourth visit to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, comes at a crucial moment in the war.
The European Union approved a four-year 50 billion euro ($54 billion) facility for Ukraine last week in a major boost for Kyiv, which depends heavily on its Western allies for military and financial support.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X that the EU aims to begin payments in March. The Ukrainian government has said it expects to receive about 4.5 billion euro from the EU next month.
Ukraine is outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield
Ukrainian military officials have said they face an acute shortage of ammunition and artillery shells as Russian forces press on with renewed assaults on several areas in the east and southeast of the country.
Ukraine has urged the EU to take “urgent steps” to increase deliveries of artillery shells, stocks that Kyiv says are desperately needed to defend itself against Russia.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told top European diplomat Josep Borrell he expected the EU to ease regulations and sign long-term contracts with defense companies to boost production.
Borrell has said that he expects to provide Ukraine with 1.155 million rounds of ammunition by the end of this year.
“The defense-industrial complex of the European Union continues to grow and develop. We can state that its capacity has increased by 40 percent,” Borrell said at a briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv.
Shmyhal noted that financial, humanitarian and military aid for his country from the European Union has reached almost 85 billion euros ($91.5bn) since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
“We are grateful,” Shmyhal told Borrell during his visit this week.
Meanwhile, senior Russian foreign ministry official, Vladimir Ermakov, said that Western countries carrying out long-range missile deliveries must be aware of the inevitable consequences of such steps.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) claimed that Russia has been recruiting mercenaries in Syria to participate in hostilities against Ukraine.
The major aid package from the United States still remains blocked in Congress amid political infighting. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it was vital that the US Congress approves long-term funding for Ukraine.
Russia claims it downed 7 Ukrainian rockets, 2 drones over Belgorod
Russia’s air defense systems are said to have destroyed seven Ukraine-launched rockets and two drones over the southwestern region of Belgorod, according to the Russian defense ministry.
The Ukrainian attack was carried out with Czech-made Vampire rockets, the ministry said – the same type which, according to Moscow, was used in attacks on the city of Belgorod in late December.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two people had been injured.
Further, Russia said it had shot down four HIMARS, and 104 drones within 24 hours Wednesday.
“Over the past 24 hours, Russian air defense systems have intercepted four HIMARS multiple launch rocket system projectiles and shot down 104 drones launched by Ukraine,” Russia’s Defense Ministry announced.
The air battles came “in the areas of the settlements of Mirnoye, Novoe in the Zaporozhye region, Novaya Kakhovka, Schaslyve in the Kherson region, Vasylivka of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Stelmakhovka, Zhytlovka and Ploshchanka Lugansk People’s Republic”, the statement said.
UN coordinator in Ukraine condemns ‘extremely upsetting’ Russian attacks
Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, has strongly condemned the rocket attacks that the Russians launched on Ukrainian cities this week.
“As a result of these strikes, a significant number of civilians were affected, which is extremely upsetting. Also, for a large number of consumers, in particular in Mykolaiv and in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, basic services were disrupted, including electricity, water and gas supply, when they are especially necessary in the cold winter season,” she said in a statement.
“Millions of people need these services for heating, cooking or transportation. They are critical to the operation of medical and educational institutions,” Brown added.
She also said that “Ukrainians should live without fear that their lives will be destroyed due to strikes.”
Jarno Habicht, World Health Organization representative in Ukraine, and Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF representative to Ukraine, also expressed deep concern about “the recent drastic increase in attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects across Ukraine”.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
