On the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council of 21 March, foreign ministers of like-minded EU member states met to discuss ways to support Ukraine’s European aspirations.

During the meeting, foreign ministers condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and stressed that Ukraine was defending not only its freedom and sovereignty, but also European values and democratic principles, as well as the inherent right of peoples to self-determination. Thus, we must stand up for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in this country's battle for freedom and democracy. Furthermore, we must propose concrete steps to support the European choice of Ukraine.

In addition, foreign ministers of like-minded countries set up an informal Group of Friends of European Ukraine (EUkraine), which aims to provide political and practical support with a view to granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country as soon as possible.

Statement on Support for Ukraine’s European Path