European Council conclusions on Ukraine, 19 December 2024
- Today, more than 1000 days since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It also reconfirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail.
- The European Council reaffirms its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, and underlines the principle that no initiative regarding Ukraine be taken without Ukraine. To this end, the European Union and its Member States will maintain their intensive global outreach efforts and will participate in the discussions affecting Europe’s security.
- The European Council reviewed work done on the delivery of military support to Ukraine. To help Ukraine to defend itself effectively against Russia’s aggression, the European Council calls for the urgent stepping up of efforts, in particular on the delivery of air defence systems, ammunition and missiles, as well as on the provision of necessary training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades. The European Council underlines the importance of intensifying work to further support and develop Ukraine’s defence industry and to deepen its cooperation with the EU defence industry. It recalls the importance of the implementation of all components of the G7 ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ (ERA) initiative, including the military needs component, and calls for decisions under the European Peace Facility to be operationalised as soon as possible. It also calls on the Council to accelerate work to strengthen the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine.
- The European Council welcomes the steadfast implementation of the Ukraine Facility. Total payments to Ukraine under the Facility in 2024 will amount to EUR 16.2 billion. In 2025, disbursements from the Facility are expected to reach EUR 12.5 billion. In addition, the European Council welcomes the rapid implementation of the G7 ERA initiative amounting to EUR 45 billion (USD 50 billion) to support Ukraine’s current and future military, budget and reconstruction needs. Under this initiative, the European Union plans to start disbursements in January, for a total of EUR 18.1 billion in 2025. All relevant legal and financial aspects will continue to be addressed.
- The European Council recalls that all military support will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.
- The European Council strongly condemns Russia’s intensified and deliberate campaign against Ukraine’s energy and other civilian infrastructure which aims to weaponise the onset of winter. It calls for material support to be increased and its delivery accelerated in order to help Ukraine keep its electricity infrastructure running. In this context, the European Council commends Member States, notably Ukraine’s neighbours, for their exports of electricity to Ukraine and stresses the need to continue increasing these. It also calls for further integration of the energy systems of Ukraine and of the Republic of Moldova with the Union’s energy network as a matter of priority.
- Efforts to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war must continue. In this context, the European Council welcomes the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, including measures against the ‘shadow fleet’. It also reiterates its call for the full and effective enforcement of sanctions and for further means and measures to counter their circumvention, including through third countries. The European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions. Subject to EU law, Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war.
- The European Council strongly condemns support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. The arms transfers and deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and Iran, as well as the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine, represent an international escalation of the war, with serious consequences for international peace and security. The European Council urges all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
- The European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery, and reconstruction in coordination with international partners. The Ukraine Recovery Conference hosted by Italy in July 2025 will be important in that context. The European Union will continue to work closely with Ukraine and support its reform efforts on its European path.
CONTACT DETAILS
MARIA TOMASIK
Spokesperson for the European Council President
+32 470 88 23 83
+32 2 281 51 50
BEATRIZ NAVARRO
Deputy spokesperson for the European Council President
+32 471 33 22 92
+32 2 281 51 50
SYMEON PIPERIDIS
Press officer
+32 478 83 12 21
+32 2 281 84 72