COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,earliest

 

Press material Tuesday, 24 February 2026

● European Council   24/02/2026 16:15 | Statements and remarks | G7 Leaders’ statement on the war in Ukraine   On the fourth anniversary of the Russian further invasion of Ukraine in 2022, we, the leaders of the G7, reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence. We express our continued support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve these objectives by initiating a peace process and bringing the parties to direct discussions. Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners. We also support the commitments under the Coalition of the Willing to provide robust and reliable security guarantees to Ukraine. We acknowledge that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peace agreement. We welcome the efforts made by the G7 members and other partners to provide substantial financial and in-kind support to Ukraine to help the country get through this winter. Substantial additional power production capacities have been mobilized in recent weeks together with other critical equipment, including the shipment of more than 2500 generators and other much needed equipment like transformers, turbines, cogeneration units, boilers and repair equipment from the G7 countries to Kyiv since January, and more than half a billion euros of new pledges were made to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to purchase equipment to repair and protect the Ukrainian energy system. A resilient and robust energy system will be needed ahead of next winter and for the country’s recovery. We commit to working closely in terms of ensuring nuclear safety, including with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Ukraine to promote fundraising for the rehabilitation at the earliest of the Chornobyl containment arch and to prevent any radiological incident that would have serious humanitarian and environmental consequences for the entire continent. We also support initiatives aimed at ensuring the immediate, safe and unconditional return of Ukrainian children to their families and communities, and commend the work of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. We will continue to provide humanitarian aid and support to the Ukrainian population.   Visit the website ● European Council   24/02/2026 17:16 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen   On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression, Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian people. Being in Kyiv today is a statement of solidarity. But it is also a way to thank Ukrainian people and Ukraine for your fight for our freedom. And today we remember. We remember the communities torn apart, the homes destroyed, and the children taken away from their families. We honour the lives lost—the soldiers, the civilians, the children. We witness the resilience of the Ukrainian people who have shown extraordinary strength in the face of aggression. And we reaffirm that Europe’s future is tied to Ukraine’s freedom. This anniversary is not just about remembering the past, it’s about shaping the future. And that future is written in Kyiv and not in Moscow. The only path forward is a just and lasting peace. A peace rooted in international law, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Russia cannot be permitted to make gains at the negotiating table where it has failed on the battlefield. We welcome all the efforts, including those by our US partners, towards sustainable peace. And Russia must come to the negotiation table in a serious way and accept that it will not win this war. After four years of aggression, Ukraine has held firm, and Russia has not achieved its objectives in Ukraine. Now, instead of engaging in the negotiations in good faith, Russia is intensifying its attacks and targeting vital energy infrastructure in the middle of a very harsh winter.This is an undeniable attack on an innocent civilian population, as entire communities are left without power in freezing temperatures. This is unacceptable. And my message is clear: Ukraine can count on the EU. Since the very first day of Russia’s war of aggression, the European Union has been unwavering in full support to Ukraine on all fronts. Financially, politically, diplomatically, in terms of security. And we will continue and, as soon as possible, I invite the European Commission to deliver on the decision taken by the European Council on 18th of December, to give a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. But our support goes beyond the immediate. Ukraine's future is in the European Union, a prosperous, democratic Ukraine, anchored in the European Union is a security guarantee for all of Europe, and one of the key elements of the peace process. Ukraine has already made remarkable progress on European reforms, even under the most difficult circumstances. The accession process is not just a bureaucratic exercise – it is a transformation that brings real benefits to the Ukrainian people. The technical preparations with the European Union institutions are going well and we can expect significant progress on the accession path in the foreseeable future. President Zelenskyy, Dear Volodymyr, I encourage you to continue your good efforts in delivering the necessary reforms. We will continue to support Ukraine on its accession process. So let me end with by reiterating: you can rely on the European Union – we will be on your side as long as it takes. We are committed to building a free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine within the European Union. Thank you.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

24/02/2026 15:51 | Meetings | Main results - General Affairs Council, 24 February 2026   The Council started preparations for the March European Council and held an exchange of views on the European Centre for Democratic Resilience.   View meeting page

● International ministerial meetings

24/02/2026 16:44 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - EU-Angola ministerial meeting, 26 February 2026   The European Union and Angola will hold their 7th ‘Joint way forward’ ministerial meeting on Thursday 26 February in Brussels.   View meeting page