Leaders of European Union countries are considering setting up a "
trust fund
" to support Ukraine and help rebuild the country after the war unleashed by Russia, according to a draft document seen by AFP on Tuesday. .
Read alsoAgriculture: EU wants to help Ukraine continue production
EU heads of state and government are meeting in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit devoted to dealing with the aftermath of Russia's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.
"
In view of the enormous destruction and losses suffered by Ukraine as a result of Russia's military aggression, the European Union is determined to provide support to the Ukrainian government to meet its immediate needs and, once Russian aggression will have ceased, for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine
,” reads the draft conclusions of the meeting.
"
To this end, the European Council agrees to set up a Solidarity Trust Fund with Ukraine and calls for preparations to start without delay
."
“Provide basic services and meet the immediate needs of citizens”
The document does not give more details on the importance of the fund and its operation.
He calls for “
the timely organization of an international conference to raise funds under the Solidarity Trust Fund with Ukraine
”.
The project was launched on Friday by European Council President Charles Michel, after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This fund "
would help provide basic services and meet the immediate needs of citizens
" and "
would provide liquidity for continued support to the authorities and, in the longer term, would serve as a backbone for reconstruction
", he said. precise.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky calls on the EU to stop all "trade" with Russia
US President Joe Biden will attend the EU summit on Thursday as part of a visit to Europe meant to underscore transatlantic unity in the face of Russian aggression and boost support for Ukraine.
He will have previously participated in an extraordinary NATO summit.
The EU has already released 1.2 billion euros in emergency funds to help the Ukrainian authorities deal with the onslaught of Russian troops.
The 27 have imposed a series of sanctions which have damaged the Russian economy.
They also approved funding of one billion euros for the purchase of weapons for the Ukrainian forces.
EU countries are divided over the next round of sanctions, however, with some wanting to ban key energy exports from Moscow, while others say they are too dependent on Russian fossil fuels to cut the cord immediately.
The draft declaration only indicates that the European Union “
remains ready to rapidly take new coordinated sanctions
” against Moscow and its ally, Belarus.