Historic meeting of European Union members in Kyiv

• Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed respect for the Slovak people's choice during the first-ever meeting of foreign ministers from EU member states held outside the European Union. The meeting in Kyiv focused on discussions regarding additional support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposed peace plan. Germany's Foreign Minister announced a "winter protection plan" for Ukraine.

The historic meeting of EU foreign ministers began on Monday, with Josep Borrell, the head of EU diplomacy, emphasizing its significance as the first such gathering of all 27 member states outside the EU's borders. Borrell asserted, "The future of Ukraine lies in the EU," on social media.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister, highlighted the exceptional nature of the event, stating

"For the first time in history, the Foreign Affairs Council will meet outside its current borders, outside the borders of the European Union, but within the future borders of the European Union."

Though officially described as informal, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the situation concerning the Ukraine conflict and deliberate on ongoing support for the country, according to Borrell. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna viewed the talks in Kyiv as a strong signal to Moscow, affirming Europe's unwavering support for Ukraine and dispelling any notion of fatigue. She disclosed that the French government had been working on a long-term support plan for Ukraine, spanning up to five years and encompassing economic, humanitarian, military, and reconstruction assistance.

https://twitter.com/JosepBorrellF/status/1708830959422828580

Annalena Baerbock: Ukraine needs a winter protection plan

Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, echoed these sentiments, calling for the development of a strategy to safeguard Ukraine against potential Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure during the upcoming winter. She emphasized the need for a "winter protection plan" that includes air defense measures, generators, and reinforced energy supplies, drawing attention to previous Russian attacks on critical infrastructure during winter.

Amid expressions of support for Ukraine, there were also warnings during the Kyiv meeting. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Lansbergis referred to the EU's "critical moment" and urged other member states to send a resounding message of solidarity with Ukraine. Lansbergis mentioned recent events in the US and Slovakia that might raise doubts.

Specifically, he alluded to the recent budget-related issues in the US Congress, which temporarily threatened to shut down federal offices and institutions. While an interim budget bill was eventually passed, it did not include prior assurances of support for Ukraine.

Nevertheless, Josep Borrell reassured that Europe remained confident in US support for Ukraine, emphasizing that the stakes in Ukraine extended beyond the country itself.

Dmytro Kuleba: We respect the choice of the Slovak people

Dmytro Kuleba addressed concerns about Slovakia's potential shift in favor following recent parliamentary elections that saw the victory of the SMER party, led by Robert Fico, a figure known for his Euroscepticism and reluctance to provide military support to Ukraine. Kuleba stated, "We respect the choice of the Slovak people", but added that the impact of the election results on Slovakia's stance could only be assessed once a ruling coalition was formed.

In summary, the meeting in Kyiv underscored the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine and its efforts to ensure Ukraine's stability and security amid ongoing challenges.