EU affirms strong support for Ukraine – accession negotiations to begin

On Thursday 14 December, the European Council decided to open negotiations on EU accession with Ukraine and Moldova. The Council also decided to grant candidate country status to Georgia. Negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina will begin once the necessary criteria are met. The EU leaders see enlargement as a geopolitical necessity in the current global situation.

“The opening of accession negotiations sends a very strong message to Ukraine that its place is in the EU, and that the European countries are committed to supporting Ukraine on a long-term basis. I am very pleased with this historic decision,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The European Council reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine. Timely, sustained and predictable military support is especially important. The Council stressed the urgent need for the Member States to accelerate their delivery of missiles, munitions and air defence systems to Ukraine. The leaders also discussed the EU’s future security commitments to Ukraine and pledged to intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance, along with assistance to ensure sufficient heating through the winter. Moreover, the EU will continue its efforts to undermine Russia’s ability to fight its war of aggression in Ukraine by strengthening sanctions and preventing their circumvention. 

The Council once again expressed its strong condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU leaders reiterated their call for Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe return to Ukraine of all unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children and other civilians. Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for their actions.

The European Council meeting will continue on Friday.

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33, Prime Minister’s Office.