Foreign Ministers Meet in Kiev to Pledge Continued Support for Ukraine Amid Concerns Over ‘Aid Fatigue’

Foreign Ministers Vow Continued Support for Ukraine in Historic Meeting

Kiev, Ukraine – The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) convened in Kiev on October 2nd and pledged unwavering support for Ukraine amidst concerns of ‘aid fatigue’ in the West. This meeting marked a historic first as it was the first time EU foreign ministers gathered outside of the European Union.

Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, described the meeting as momentous. He emphasized the unity of the European Union in its support for Ukraine, stating, “Not a single member-state is halting its participation.” Borrell further announced a proposal to provide up to 5 billion euros (about 7.12 trillion won) in aid to Ukraine next year and expressed confidence in reaching an agreement within the year.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock urged the implementation of measures to prepare for potential energy facility attacks, such as reinforcing air defense networks and stockpiling energy supplies. The urgency stems from last year’s missile attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s energy facilities, leading to power and water shortages in major cities like Kiev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude for the support in a statement released on the sidelines of the foreign ministers’ meeting. He conveyed his belief that Ukraine and the free world can triumph in the conflict with Russia but underscored the significance of cooperation.

Although the EU’s foreign ministers aimed to present a united front in bolstering Ukraine, signs of divisions within ‘Western unity’ are emerging. A prominent development occurred in the United States Congress, which excluded Ukraine’s aid budget in a recent temporary budget bill. This decision puts the US government’s aid program for Ukraine at risk.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller voiced concern over the dwindling funds and urged Congress to take measures to ensure continued support. Meanwhile, the White House assured that new assistance for Ukraine would be provided promptly, reaffirming strong international solidarity.

Ongoing discussions between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and both Republican and Democratic representatives in the United States Congress indicate optimism for sustained US support. Kuleba also urged EU foreign ministers to maximize their support for defense companies collaborating with Ukrainian counterparts.

Additionally, ruptures within the European Union are becoming evident following the success of Slovakia’s left-wing party ‘Smer’ in their recent general election. The party, led by former Prime Minister Robert Pitso, vowed to halt arms support to Ukraine. Pitso clarified that although humanitarian aid will still be extended, their stance against arming Ukraine remains steadfast.

Russia views the exclusion of Ukraine from the US aid budget as a temporary setback but perceives it as a growing divide in the West. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that fatigue with backing the Kiev regime is increasing in various countries, including the United States.

This historic meeting of the EU’s foreign ministers conveys the determination to stand by Ukraine amid challenges and highlights the need for continued international support to ensure Ukraine’s defense and long-term stability. The unity displayed at the meeting serves as a testament to the resilience of Ukraine and its allies in the face of external pressures.

Senior Reporter: Shin Ki-seop

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (left) speaks at the joint foreign ministers’ meeting between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine held in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on the 2nd (local time). Kiwi News/EPA Yonhap

The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) held a meeting in Kiev on the 2nd and promised to continue providing support to Ukraine. As the US Congress passes an interim budget bill, it excludes aid to Ukraine and is interpreted as a move to dispel concerns about Western ‘aid fatigue’ raised by the victory of a political party opposed to military aid to Ukraine in Slovakia, a member of the EU. state. Reuters and other media reported that foreign ministers from the member states of the European Union held a meeting in Kiev on this day and discussed issues related to military support for Ukraine. This meeting of foreign ministers was the first to be held outside the European Union. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, evaluated this meeting, held jointly with Ukraine, as a historic first meeting. After the meeting, Representative Borrell held a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and emphasized, “The European Union remains united in its support for Ukraine,” and “Not a single member -state ceasing participation.” He said he had proposed a plan to provide up to 5 billion euros (about 7.12 trillion won) in aid to Ukraine next year, and that he expected an agreement to be reached within the year. German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock specifically called for winter measures, such as strengthening air defense networks and stockpiling energy to prepare for attacks on energy facilities such as Russia’s power transmission network before the winter. Around this time last year, Russia also launched a barrage of missile attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine, leaving major cities like Kiev in a state of power and water shortages. “I am confident that Ukraine and the entire free world can win this conflict (with Russia), but our victory depends directly on cooperation with you,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a statement released on the margins of the meeting of the foreign ministers. “There is,” he said. The European Union’s foreign ministers tried to present an appearance of unity in support of Ukraine, but signs of cracks in the ‘Western unity’ that has been maintained over the past year and eight months are everywhere to be seen. The most notable move took place in the United States Congress. On the 30th of last month, the US Congress passed a ‘temporary budget’ to avoid a federal government shutdown that was supposed to start on October 1, while excluding Ukraine’s aid budget. As a result, the US government’s aid budget for Ukraine is at risk of running out. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the current security assistance programs are running out of money and urged Congress to take steps to continue the support. The Spokesperson of the White House, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on the 2nd that new support for Ukraine would be provided soon, trying to block concerns about preventing the spread of US support. “There is very strong international solidarity behind Ukraine,” he said. “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin thinks he can outrun us, he’s mistaken.” Minister Kuleba also said, “We had detailed discussions with both sides of the United States Congress, the Republican and Democratic parties,” and said he expects the United States’ support to continue. He then urged EU foreign ministers to “provide the maximum possible support for their defense companies to cooperate with Ukrainian defense companies.” There are also signs of rupture in the European Union. In Slovakia’s general election on the 30th of last month, the left-wing party ‘Smer’ (Direction-Social Democracy), which promised to stop arms support to Ukraine, took first place with 23% of the votes. Former Prime Minister Robert Pitso, who leads Smer, has declared that if he forms a government, he will not send arms and ammunition to Ukraine. After winning the general election, he said, “There is no change in our willingness to support Ukraine in a humanitarian way,” and “We are ready to help rebuild the country, but our thoughts on arming Ukraine are well known.” Russia saw the US Congress’ decision to exclude Ukraine from its aid budget as temporary, but responded that this event showed a growing rift in the West. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the United States will continue to intervene in the conflict, but added, “As we have noted time and again, fatigue with the completely absurd support of the Kiev regime will continue to grow in many of countries, including the United States. “He said. Senior Reporter Shin Ki-seop marishin@hani.co.kr
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