Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders reaffirmed their support during a visit to Kyiv, where the EU pledged a €3.5 billion loan sourced from frozen Russian assets. Despite Hungary’s continued opposition to sanctions and arms support for Ukraine, the EU approved its 16th sanctions package against Russia. Additionally, the EU is easing sanctions on Syria to promote reconstruction and encourage the return of refugees, while military aid discussions are set to conclude by March 6.
Three Years Since the Invasion of Ukraine
It has been precisely three years since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, a shocking event that reverberated not only through the nation under attack but also among its traditional allies, the EU and the USA. With the American government increasingly seen as an unreliable partner, European nations have heightened their commitment to solidarity with Ukraine, embodying the belief that they will stand by their ally, no matter the circumstances.
Reaffirmation of Support in Kyiv
On Monday, various activities took place to solidify this commitment. Early in the day, a significant delegation of Western heads of state, nearly all EU commissioners, and President of the Council António Costa arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. They were welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and members of his government.
During this visit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a forthcoming loan of 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine, expected to be disbursed in March. This financial aid will be sourced from the interest accrued on frozen Russian state assets. Additionally, Canada, Spain, Norway, Finland, and other nations pledged substantial financial support to bolster Ukraine in its time of need. In a poignant moment, President Zelensky honored the memory of the countless war victims.
Political Dynamics Within the EU
Interestingly, the absence of five EU commissioners attracted attention during this high-profile visit, with four providing plausible excuses due to urgent meetings in Brussels and Washington. However, the fifth commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, was attending a meeting on hunting dogs in Brussels—a topic of minimal significance compared to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This absence is perceived as a political statement, particularly as Hungary has persistently challenged the EU’s stance on Ukraine. Recently, Prime Minister Viktor Orban referred to Ukraine as a buffer zone between Russia and NATO, while downplaying Kyiv’s aspirations for foreign policy alignment, asserting that Ukraine’s EU membership hinges on Hungary’s approval.
During the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday, Hungary also voiced its opposition, with representative Peter Szijjarto announcing the country’s resistance to extending sanctions against key Russian officials. He further stated Hungary’s unwillingness to support new arms shipments to Ukraine. However, the urgency of these issues is mitigated for the EU, as personal sanctions must be renewed by March 15, allowing time for negotiations with Hungary. Past instances show Orban has often rescinded veto threats in exchange for concessions, suggesting a possible path forward.
The latest discussions on arms deliveries, which focus on urgently needed military supplies, are expected to conclude by March 6 during an extraordinary EU summit. Importantly, participation in the arms program will be voluntary for member states, potentially diminishing Hungary’s leverage.
In addition to these discussions, the EU foreign ministers approved the 16th sanctions package against Russia since the onset of the war. This new package includes trade bans with specific ports and airports utilized for oil transactions, as well as the addition of more banks and 73 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet to the sanctions list. The UK has similarly enacted new sanctions in alignment with the EU’s measures.
Conversely, the EU has opted to ease sanctions against Syria, with EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas indicating that these could be reinstated if necessary. The changes aim to facilitate the reconstruction of Syria while hoping to encourage some of the many Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe to return home.