EU to discuss urgent assistance to Ukraine via civil protection mechanism on 9 November
Representatives of the European Commission and Ukraine will hold a meeting on Monday 9 November to determine the priority needs of Ukrainian cities and hromadas following Russian attacks on critical infrastructure and to discuss the possibility of providing urgent EU assistance, in particular through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories]
As reported by European Pravda's journalist in Brussels, the European Commission confirmed that the issue of assistance to Ukraine regarding the critical situation in the energy sector was discussed by EC President Ursula von der Leyen and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Today, this afternoon, the two teams on our side and on Ukrainian side are meeting to see exactly what are the immediate needs where we can help, notably through the UCPM. And to assess exactly how we can support Ukrainian citizens in this very difficult situation," Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission Paula Pinho said.
Further details of the assistance will be determined based on the results of these consultations.
Pinho noted that "the humanitarian situation in Ukraine is dire, and we see that Russia is deliberately targeting the infrastructure on which Ukrainians depend to survive in the winter".
"We will not let Russia freeze Ukraine into submission, and that's why we are fully mobilised to help Ukraine maintain essential services, including electricity, heating, water supplies," she added.
Earlier on 9 November, Zelenskyy announced that during a conversation with Ursula von der Leyen they agreed for the EU to apply a special emergency response mechanism to assist Ukraine.
Slovakia has announced its intention to transfer €1 million to Ukraine for generators, shelters and medical equipment.
The Dutch government will allocate €1.2 billion in non-military aid to Ukraine over the next three years to support recovery and reconstruction and to expand opportunities for Dutch businesses.