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Press material Wednesday 23 March 2022   ● European Council   23/03/2022 21:33 | Press release | Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their meeting on 24 and 25 March 2022   Dear colleagues, Our European Council on 24 and 25 March will start with a session on Thursday at 4:30 pm with the participation of President Biden. Together we will address Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine. After the traditional exchange with the President of the European Parliament, we will pursue our exchange on Ukraine in a subsequent session, where we will be joined virtually by President Zelensky. As the war progresses, we are seeing Russia increasingly attack the civilian population and target hospitals, schools and shelters. These war crimes must stop immediately. Those responsible, and their accomplices, will be held to account in accordance with international law. In our meeting, we will discuss how to best support Ukraine in these dramatic circumstances. The Ukrainian people have bravely stepped up to defend their country. But humanitarian needs within Ukraine are growing dramatically. And millions have had to flee their homes and leave their loved ones behind. We must continue to provide humanitarian, political, financial and material support to Ukraine. We will also examine the specific support we can offer Ukrainian refugees and their hosts. Sanctions are one of the main tools at our disposal to exert pressure on Russia to change its course of action. So far, we have adopted some of the strongest measures ever against Russia and Belarus. Along with our international allies, we have shown a united front. We must now ensure that these sanctions are not circumvented. We stand ready to move quickly on further coordinated sanctions. Against this backdrop, our meeting will also be the occasion to prepare for the EU-China summit, to be held on 1 April 2022, where the war in Ukraine will be the main topic. A further foreign policy issue I would like us to address is the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The war in Ukraine also gives rise to various challenges for us within the EU, not least in terms of our energy policy. At our meeting in Versailles, we agreed to phase out our dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible. We must now take immediate action to safeguard our energy supply for the coming winter. I would also like us to urgently tackle how, in the weeks and months to come, we can ease the pressure of high energy prices on our citizens and businesses. Our European Council meeting will be an occasion to strengthen our Single Market, which continues to be our primary asset for sustainable growth, job creation and for accelerating our green and digital transitions. Addressing rising food prices and ensuring food security within our Single Market is also a critical issue for us to tackle. During our discussions on Security and Defence, I expect us to endorse the Strategic Compass, which sets out a security and defence perspective for the next decade. And lastly, on COVID-19, I would like us to briefly take stock of the latest coordination efforts to combat the pandemic. I look forward to seeing you in Brussels. One month of war. One month of death, destruction, and suffering. One month of Russian terror against the people of Ukraine. And one month of the dem… Press material Wednesday 23 March 2022   ● European Council   23/03/2022 19:25 | Speech | Report by President Charles Michel to the European Parliament plenary session   One month of war. One month of death, destruction, and suffering. One month of Russian terror against the people of Ukraine. And one month of the democratic world rising up, with full force, to condemn Russia and to stand against this barbaric and immoral war. Mariupol. Like other cities, Mariupol will forever be engraved in the history of martyr towns. A theatre bombed, an art school bombed where so many people took refuge, 90% of the city damaged or destroyed, residents held hostage by Russian troops, no food, no water, no electricity, no heating. Mariupol. One month ago a vibrant city. Today, in ruins. Russia is responsible for this war. Russia alone. Targeting women, children, civilians. These are crimes, and those responsible will face international justice. No impunity. We are not alone in condemning this brutal war. Far from it. The EU — alongside our partners and allies — is rock-solid in our solidarity for Ukraine. For one month, an international coalition has risen up to denounce this war — nations, businesses, citizens, the United Nations. Together, we have one common goal: to defeat Vladimir Putin. Putin thought he would conquer Ukraine in a few days and he was wrong. He thought he would divide the EU and our allies and he was wrong, because the people of Ukraine are fighting bravely, defending their homes and the future of their children. Defending their democracy and defending our European common values. The European Union, with our allies we stand as one and we are taking action against the Kremlin. With our international partners, we have imposed the heaviest sanctions we have ever adopted. Hitting the financial system. Crippling key economic sectors and cracking down on supporters of the regime. Freezing Russia's foreign reserves, banning banks from SWIFT. The rouble has plummeted; multinationals are fleeing. Sanctions on Russian companies and on decision makers, propagandists, oligarchs. Freezing their EU assets, banning their travel in the EU, targeting their yachts, their villas, their private jets. We are implementing these sanctions and working to close the loopholes that provide an escape for Russia, and we are prepared to do more, to starve Putin’s war machine. As we speak, the Ukrainian people are battling for their freedom. We will not abandon them. Because this is our political and moral duty. They are fighting not only for themselves, but for our common values and principles. In Versailles, two weeks ago, we decided to increase our humanitarian, political, financial and material support to Ukraine. Over 3 million people have fled to the EU, mostly women and children, and we are welcoming them with dignity. We will continue to offer them any assistance they need and to show solidarity with the countries on the front line. We will also continue to provide military equipment to Ukraine, with €1 billion already mobilised through the European Peace Facility. We also have a very powerful tool in our Association Agreement with Ukraine, and we must make the most of it. Just last week, we continued our support in the energy sector by connecting Ukraine — and Moldova — to our European electricity grid. We have also worked intensely on the diplomatic front to try to end this war. President Macron and Chancellor Scholz have also played an important role in our diplomatic efforts. I speak to President Zelenskyy nearly every day, and I have spoken with President Putin multiple times. The goal is clear: this war must end. Our Ukrainian friends are also asking for another kind of help — political help. Ukraine is part of our European family. We agreed to support the European choice of Ukraine and its right to choose its own destiny. We have decided to immediately strengthen our bonds and deepen our partnership and to support Ukraine in pursuing its European path. We have proposed to launch a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund and an international donors’ conference to provide support to Ukraine for its immediate needs and to help rebuild a free and democratic Ukraine. Nous aurons l'occasion d'aborder ces thèmes demain lors de la réunion du G7 et du Conseil européen. Enfin, quelques éléments concernant cet agenda de Versailles qui, je le crois, représente un élan pour une ambition de souveraineté européenne. Nous savons tous ici que la promesse qui fonde le projet européen est celle de la paix et de la prospérité. Nous savons tous ici que les dernières années, on s'est assemblés avec le Conseil, on a travaillé de concert pour engager la transformation du projet européen en termes de prospérité, prenant en compte l'agenda climatique, prenant en compte l'agenda numérique. Et nous savons combien le Covid a fait pression sur nous, a révélé nos forces, montré nos faiblesses et nous a engagés à montrer plus de solidarité encore, plus d'ambition encore, pour cet agenda européen. Nous avons, à Versailles, identifié nos points de force, nos points de faiblesse et identifié l'agenda et la méthode de travail pour progresser au départ du Conseil, nous le souhaitons, avec la Commission et le Parlement, en étroite coordination. Il y a trois points particulièrement que je souhaite mettre en évidence. Le premier point, nous le voyons brutalement, mais ne le découvrons pas avec cette guerre: nous avons une faiblesse sur le plan énergétique et cela montre la justesse de ce choix lié au Green Deal, à notre ambition d'être davantage indépendant sur ce sujet à l'avenir. Mais sans attendre cette neutralité climatique, il nous appartient immédiatement de prendre les mesures pour renforcer dans ce domaine notre résilience, notre indépendance, de sortir progressivement de notre dépendance, spécialement au gaz russe. Ce sujet sera bien sûr au cœur de nos débats de demain et après-demain au Conseil européen. Le deuxième sujet, nous le voyons bien, c’est la question de la sécurité et de la paix qui y est liée et donc la question de l'Europe de la défense. Nous savons que depuis de nombreuses années, des voix se sont élevées avec plus ou moins de force pour plaider en faveur de ce rapprochement entre pays européens, pour développer davantage les capacités européennes en matière de défense et de sécurité. De premiers instruments ont été instaurés, ont été mis en place et, nous le voyons bien, il faut maintenant changer de régime, changer de vitesse. Je suis totalement convaincu que cette décision, qui a été prise avec courage par les 27 leaders européens, de mettre en place, au travers de la Facilité Paix, une capacité de livrer du matériel militaire, est un pas en avant substantiel qui montre que l'Europe peut disposer, si nous le souhaitons, d'une réelle capacité d'influence et de puissance au service de la paix et au service de nos valeurs. Enfin, le troisième élément, nous le voyons bien, touche à la robustesse de notre base économique. Si nous sommes en mesure de prendre des mesures qui touchent le régime à Moscou, c'est parce que nous représentons une force économique: 450 millions de consommateurs, un marché intérieur puissant avec des points de force et des atouts qui sont indiscutables. Mais c'est vrai, soyons lucides, avec quelques points de faiblesse et de fragilité qu'il faut rapidement corriger. C'est le sens du travail qui est mené étroitement avec la Commission, avec le Conseil et, je l'espère, avec vous aussi au départ du Parlement européen. Les microprocesseurs: voilà un sujet sur lequel nous devons être engagés pour développer les technologies qui, demain, vont faire la différence, garder cette capacité d'innovation. Le secteur de la santé: on a vu à quel point la santé touche directement notre capacité de bien-être collectif et aussi la capacité de soutenir notre base économique. Sur tous ces sujets-là et sur quelques autres, nous allons aussi continuer à progresser, à avancer. Vous le voyez, Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les Parlementaires, il est certain que les dernières années n'ont pas été de tout repos pour le monde et pour l'Europe. La conscience d'une transformation climatique et digitale, une crise mondiale, le Covid, une pandémie qui nous a ébranlés, mais à laquelle nous avons résisté. Nous avons tenté de tirer un certain nombre d'enseignements, y compris en termes de relance économique et de volonté de travailler davantage ensemble. Et puis, nous nous sommes réveillés toutes et tous, il y a un mois, avec une Europe différente, avec un monde différent, parce qu’à nouveau la guerre se déploie sur le sol européen. Nous avons la conscience de notre responsabilité et d'être à la hauteur de ce moment, nous avons la conscience que les décisions que nous prenons aujourd'hui doivent être intelligentes et stratégiques pour faire en sorte que nous soyons à la hauteur de cette promesse de l'Union européenne de paix et de prospérité. Je vous remercie.

Today the Council adopted two assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that will allow the EU to further support the capabilities … Press material Wednesday 23 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   23/03/2022 18:23 | Press release | EU support to Ukraine: Council doubles funding under the European Peace Facility   Today the Council adopted two assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that will allow the EU to further support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian military aggression. The assistance measures will increase the original budget announced on 28 February 2020 with an additional €500 million, thereby doubling its initial amount to €1 billion. "We will continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression and the unspeakable suffering it is inflicting on the Ukrainian population. The additional €500 million under the European Peace Facility is another sign of the EU’s support to the Ukrainian armed forces to defend their territory and their population." Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The agreed assistance measures will finance both the provision of equipment and supplies such as personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel, and military equipment and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes. The duration of the assistance measure is also extended by 12 months. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability. Russia, and its accomplice Belarus, bear full responsibility for this war of aggression and those responsible will be held to account for their crimes, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian objects. The European Union demands that Russia ceases its military action and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders. EU adopts new set of measures to respond to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine (press release, 28 February 2022) Informal EU Leaders’ meeting in Versailles: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell upon arrival (EEAS website) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (policy page) EU leaders and social partners met, via video conference, at the tripartite social summit to discuss "a united tripartite response to the social and … Press material Wednesday 23 March 2022   ● European Council   23/03/2022 21:15 | Press release | Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit, 23 March 2022   EU leaders and social partners met, via video conference, at the tripartite social summit to discuss "a united tripartite response to the social and economic impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine". The summit participants intervened on the following questions: How to ensure long-term investment, growth and employment in Europe, while addressing the impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine on energy prices, the economy and jobs? How to ensure a successful green transition for European workers and enterprises in this new context? What is the role of social dialogue to improve working conditions, the functioning of European labour markets and skills training post COVID-19? The President of the European Council Charles Michel commented: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a ruthless attack on an independent and sovereign country. But it is also an attack on our values such as freedom, democracy and human rights. For the past month, we have risen to meet this historic moment, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Ukraine. A united tripartite response will also be crucial to address the enormous social and economic impact of this war. Governments, employers, employees - all coming together with one common and united response. I am sure that the contribution of social partners, as was the case during COVID-19, will again be essential in facing this new challenge.” The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “Europe is providing a safe haven for people fleeing Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. They deserve access to social protection, training and jobs and EU funding is available to help the member states that host them. At the same time, the war and the necessary sanctions against Russia come at a cost for our economy. We are doing all we can to mitigate the impact on energy and other commodities’ prices as well as on supply chains to support workers, businesses and consumers in these difficult times. This is a crucial moment and it is important that we all – social partners, member states and EU institutions – stand in unity and solidarity with those who need it most.” From the side of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the Prime Minister of France, Jean Castex, added: “Within the Union we are committed to building a more sovereign, more resilient European growth model for the next decade. The challenges are significant and affect the sustainability of our social model, which is one of Europe’s unique strengths. We will not be able to address these challenges without a more rigorous social dialogue, at national and European level.” The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Luca Visentini, noted: “The ETUC condemns Russia’s murderous war on Ukraine. We call on the EU and member states to welcome all people fleeing Ukraine. We support their access to the labour market, housing, health care, education and welfare support. We demand that they are treated equally in the workplace and in society. The ETUC is itself helping to finance humanitarian aid by unions in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. We ask the EU and Member States to open a dialogue with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, to recognise them as candidate countries to the EU. We also call for measures to reduce the negative impacts on the EU of the war and sanctions, including EU funding to minimise the impacts of rising prices, and continuing COVID-19 emergency measures to support jobs and companies at risk due to this crisis.” BusinessEurope's President Pierre Gattaz, representing employers (BusinessEurope, SGI Europe, SMEunited), commented: “European employers strongly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Union must defend international law and support Ukraine and its people. Like many other actors, employers are taking concrete actions to provide humanitarian help and assist people fleeing combat zones. The EU’s global strength comes from its economic power. It is of utmost importance that the EU takes good care of its economy and cushions the secondary effects of this war (inflation, energy and raw material price increases and supply shortages, supply-chain disruptions). In particular, the European Union urgently needs to strengthen the internal EU energy market, diversify its energy supply sources and routes and provide an adequate framework to scale up the necessary public and private investments. While green deal policies are important parts of the answer, the EU also needs to acknowledge that a successful green transition also depends on realistic energy policies with feasible timelines. Involving social partners is essential when defining measures to support EU enterprises and workers and bring stability in these troubled times. The upcoming Commission’s social dialogue initiative is a golden opportunity to foster unity by improving cooperation between public authorities and social partners at EU and national levels.” The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organisation concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.