Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility for the supply to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force

Summary:

Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 28 February 2022 - establishing an assistance measure for the supply to Ukraine's Armed Forces of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force. This measure was adopted in the framework of the European Peace Facility (EPF).

Further information:

The European Peace Facility is an off-budget instrument aimed at enhancing the European Union's ability to prevent conflicts, build peace and strengthen international security. It enables the financing of operational actions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) that have military or defence implications.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces faced in February 2022 an escalation in a long conflict with military and civilian casualties and deaths, via a military invasion carried out by Russia. On 25 February, the Ukrainian authorities made an urgent request to the European Union (EU) for assistance in the provision of military equipment. Member States of the European Union (EU) provided assistance to Ukraine's Armed Forces, but the understanding became that such assistance should be eligible for funding under the EPF.

The objective of this Assistance Measure - with a duration of 24 months - is to contribute to strengthening the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and protect the civilian population against the military aggression. To achieve that objective, it shall finance the provision of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal forces. The Decision was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 28 February 2022.

Official

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen on further measures to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (27 February 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_1441

European Commission: Further measures to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Press statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell (27 February 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_1463

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 28/02/2022: EU adopts new set of measures to respond to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/02/28/eu-adopts-new-set-of-measures-to-respond-to-russia-s-military-aggression-against-ukraine/

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News

European Commission: Priorities 2019-2024: EU solidarity with Ukraine https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-solidarity-ukraine_en

Politico, 27/02/2022: EU agrees to give €500M in arms, aid to Ukrainian military in ‘watershed’ move https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ukraine-russia-funding-weapons-budget-military-aid/

Euronews, 27/02/2022: Ukraine war: EU to buy and deliver weapons to Kyiv, says Ursula von der Leyen https://www.euronews.com/2022/02/27/eu-to-buy-and-deliver-weapons-to-ukraine-the-first-time-the-bloc-has-financed-military-sup

Associated Press, 27/02/2022: EU shuts airspace to Russian airlines, will buy Ukraine arms https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-olaf-scholz-nato-91c93ef0dc7e759d202c0eee9c070ea5

RFE/RL, 27/02/2022: EU To Finance Weapons Purchases For Ukraine, Ban Russian Media https://www.rferl.org/a/european-union-russia-rt-sputnik-ban/31726759.html

Reuters, 28/02/2022: EU's arms finance plan will deliver defensive weapons to Ukraine https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eus-arms-finance-plan-will-deliver-defensive-weapons-ukraine-2022-02-28/

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Commentary and Analysis

The Guardian: Opinion by HR/VP Borrell, 27/02/2022: It is a matter of life and death. So the EU will provide weapons for Ukraine’s armed forces https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/27/eu-will-provide-weapons-for-ukraine-josep-borrell

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ESO Records

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/339 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces https://www.europeansources.info/record/council-decision-cfsp-2022-339-on-an-assistance-measure-under-the-european-peace-facility-to-support-the-ukrainian-armed-forces/

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