Brussels 04.04.2024. The EU top diplomat Josep Borrell received Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels on April 4. They discussed latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the recent massive attacks on Ukrainian critical energy infrastructure, according to information, released by the European External Action Service.

Josep Borrell underlined that these “barbaric attacks only strengthen the EU’s resolve to increase its support to Ukraine”. The EU diplomat emphasised that the bloc as a whole and Member States will “do more and faster to support Ukraine militarily, including by providing ammunition and via the recently agreed Ukraine Assistance Fund of €5 billion for this year under the European Peace Facility”.

“The High Representative reiterated the EU’s support for Ukraine’s Peace Formula – the only comprehensive basis for a just peace in line with the UN Charter – and for holding a Peace Summit with broad international participation” indicating that President Zelensky plan is in force.

Borrell invited Foreign Minister Kuleba to attend the next Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April in Luxembourg, jointly with Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov, to discuss Ukraine’s needs and better coordinate support from the EU and Member States.

The EU diplomat also invited Ukraine to co-host the EU-Ukraine Defence Industrial Forum on 6 May in Brussels.

Earlier the same week the U.S. Secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the EU must strengthen its defense industrial core and look beyond Ukraine’s immediate military needs to more sustainable and long-term production, the remarks were made during his visit to Paris ahead of NATO 75th anniversary.

It is a “critical moment” for Ukraine, Blinken said on April 2, urging the EU and other Western allies to engage in plans beyond Ukraine’s immediate military needs towards a strengthened defense industrial base for sustained and long-term production.

“It’s an investment in ourselves,” said Blinken, adding that “the challenges that we’re seeing in Ukraine are not going to go away tomorrow, and we need to make sure our defences are as strong as possible”.