[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The European Union (EU) will discuss support measures for the Ukrainian military and refugees on the 27th (local time).
Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who oversees the EU's foreign policy, announced on Twitter the day before that he would convene a video conference of EU foreign ministers from member states that afternoon to adopt additional support measures for Ukraine in response to Russia's attacks. Politico Europe, a U.S. political media outlet, reported that several senior EU officials said the EU plans to play a more active role by coordinating the transport of weapons and medical supplies and providing financial aid to Ukraine in connection with this discussion.
Some member states, including Germany and the Netherlands, have already announced plans to supply weapons to Ukraine. In particular, Germany announced the day before that it would supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and portable infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles to shoot down military aircraft. This move reverses Germany's long-standing policy of banning arms exports to conflict zones. EU officials said the European Commission, the EU's executive body, will soon unveil a program allowing all 27 member states to provide such weapons support.
However, under the EU treaties, the regular EU budget is prohibited from being used for military-related operations. To circumvent this restriction, EU member states have the off-budget funding mechanism called the "European Peace Facility." This can be used to provide military support. Officials said this mechanism will be used to coordinate weapons transport and other logistical issues.
Separately, EU justice and interior ministers will hold a special meeting on the same day to discuss humanitarian aid for Ukraine and the issue of accepting refugees. Since Russia's invasion, Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries, with 100,000 refugees arriving in Poland alone, as well as increasing numbers arriving in Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and other countries.
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