Title: “Cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine: a key to victory”
Introduction :
In the context of the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed during a meeting with European foreign ministers in kyiv that “victory depends on our cooperation.” This declaration underlines the importance of close collaboration between the European Union and Ukraine to address the current crisis. In this article, we will explore the latest developments in the war in Ukraine and the engagement of European actors in resolving this conflict.
1. The increase in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Ukraine:
Faced with the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the EBRD considerably increased its financing in the country, going from 800 million to one billion euros per year before the war, to 1.7 billion euros in 2022 and to 1. 2 billion euros in 2023. The EBRD even plans to double its investments for the reconstruction phase, reaching around 3 billion euros per year. These funds are intended to support both the private sector and large infrastructure in Ukraine.
2. Western support for Ukraine:
Despite the controversies, Western support for Ukraine remains intact. The White House notably responded to the Kremlin’s statements by asserting that Vladimir Putin would be wrong if he thought that Westerners would tire of supporting Ukraine. European foreign ministers also affirmed their desire to help Ukraine export its cereals through the Black Sea “at full capacity”, despite threats from Moscow and conflicts with border countries.
3. The economic and political issues surrounding cereals in Ukraine:
Ukraine is a major grain producer, and Russia recently ended a deal allowing Ukraine to export its grains through some Black Sea ports. In response, kyiv set up a “temporary humanitarian corridor” for its grain exports. In this context, President Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, discussed the exploration of alternative “corridors” for grain exports. The objective is to guarantee the security of this corridor and to ensure optimal export of Ukrainian grain to Europe.
Conclusion :
Cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine is a key element in resolving the ongoing crisis. As Ukraine faces war and its resulting economic consequences, the financial support of the EBRD and the continued engagement of Western countries demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine. The search for alternative solutions for the export of cereals also demonstrates the desire of European actors to support the Ukrainian economy in a context of tensions with Russia. Victory in this conflict will certainly depend on international cooperation and solidarity.