Statement from the Commission following the VTC called by US President Joe Biden on the situation relating to Ukraine

This evening, President von der Leyen i took part in a substantive discussion with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron i, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz i, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi i, Polish President Andrzej Duda i, Prime Minister Boris Johnson i, President of the European Council Charles Michel i and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg i.

The meeting aimed at coordinating the collective response to the aggressive behaviour of Russia with regards to Ukraine. Leaders shared the assessment on the seriousness of the situation. They wished for diplomacy to succeed but are undertaking preparations for all eventualities.

President von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's strong support for Ukraine, which includes the announcement today of a new support package of €1.2 billion in the form of an emergency financial assistance package and €120 million in additional grants.

The Commission and the EEAS are working on a wide array of sectoral and individual sanctions in the case of further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine.

In addition, the Commission has been working with Member States and allies on preparedness, from energy to cyber-security.