Four years on: Europe stands with Ukraine

Four years into the Russian aggression, resilience in Ukraine remains visible at every corner. “It is freezing in Ukraine right now,” said Yevhen Kolyada, civil protection worker who arrived at a recent strike site. “When I arrived, many people needed help. I recorded an interview on my phone and held my hand uncovered for about a minute and a half. Afterward, I couldn’t feel it for nearly half an hour”. Despite the conditions, the volunteers and humanitarian workers worked overnight, from 2 am to 10 am, he said, not stopping until they completed all the work. “Moments like this show the resilience of Ukrainian society and its people,” he said.

Four years to the day that Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, countless lives have since been lost and the Ukrainians have endured years of unnecessary hardship and suffering. But, as Yevhen says, Ukrainian citizens have demonstrated immense resilience throughout and continue to stand strong against its aggressor. 

Since the outset of the war, the European Union has stood by the people of Ukraine every step of the way. It has provided unwavering political, financial, military and humanitarian support and has welcomed millions of Ukrainians seeking refuge in EU countries.  

To date, the EU has provided almost €195 billion to the country. This support is vital not only for Ukraine’s security but for the EU’s own security, too. 

As Yevhen’s testimony bears out, Russia has weaponised the harsh winter, intensifying its attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. In response, the EU has stepped up energy, humanitarian and civil protection support. This has gone towards 

• Emergency aid: providing protection assistance, shelter, food, psychosocial support, and access to water and health
• Energy security: mobilising funding for emergency gas purchases, relocating entire power plants and delivering over 11,000 generators to keep the lights on.  

To mark this 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and to reaffirm its unwavering support to the people of Ukraine, the European Commission raised the Ukraine flag in front of its headquarters in Brussels on 23 February.

The EU is looking for a peaceful outcome to this war and to this end is, together with the United States and the Coalition of the Willing, advancing a peace plan that includes strong security guarantees for Ukraine. It is also devising a plan with the US for Ukraine's post-war recovery and long-term growth. 

But today, one firm conviction stands true: that Ukraine's security, prosperity, and free future lie at the heart of our Union. 

For more information

EU solidarity with Ukraine

Standing with Ukraine to defend freedom and democracy