Brussels defends sanctions, while pledging more Ukraine financial aid
EU foreign affairs ministers have agreed to give another €500 million to Ukraine, providing Kyiv with more firepower to stop the Russian offensive.
Meanwhile, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged member states not to waiver over sanctions against Moscow, after some European leaders, including Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, said the measures taken against Moscow were hurting the EU more than Russia.
"I am sure Putin is counting on democratic fatigue, I am sure. No European society can afford fatigue," Borrell told reporters in Brussels on Monday.
"European societies and European Union members states' governments have to continue standing behind the decisions they have taken," he added. "They took the decisions on the restricted measures on the Russian economy and they have to stick to it."
However, as Europe’s energy crisis persists and prices continue to skyrocket, some governments are becoming reluctant to spend more money to help Kyiv.
But, talking to Euronews, the EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, explained that the money is needed now more than ever, as the war is undermining the country’s economy.
"Ukraine quotes its monthly budget gap as standing at €5 billion. International financial assistance easing coming from different sources it's not enough yet to bridge that gap," Maasikas said.
"And I can only express my hope that the discussions amongst the EU member states on the €9 billion macro-financial assistance will proceed more quickly," he continued.
Brussels has already decided to support Ukraine with €9 billion, with the first billion likely to be handed over this month, though an agreement is yet to be reached for disbursement of the remaining money.
EU foreign affairs ministers also
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