London, Europe Brief News – Ever since Russia started its unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine, the EU is coming up with different approaches to stop Russia’s aggression. The EU has been coming up with different packages of sanctions to force Russia to put an end to the war. Below is the mention of Timeline of EU Response to Moscow. Let’s quickly delve into important events
Important Timeline of EU Response to Moscow
The EU has done everything they possibly could possibly do to pressurise Russia to withdraw its military. They have decided to stop importing oil and gas that will mainly damage the Russia’s economy badly.
Now let’s take a look at the timeline of EU response to Moscow for its unstoppable aggression against neighbouring country Ukraine.
3 June- Sixth Package of Sanctions in Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
The Council adopted the sixth package of sanctions to put pressure on Russia to end their war of aggression against Ukraine. The package includes:
-A complete ban on importing crude oil and refined petroleum products from Russia with very small exceptions.
-A swift ban on three additional Russian banks and one Belarusian bank.
-Three more Russian-owned state outlets will be suspended from broadcasting all over the EU.
-The EU also adopted sanctions against an additional 65 individuals and 18 entities.
At first, the EU Council announces the blockage of 🇷🇺 from 🇪🇺 cloud services in the Sixth Sanction Package. Then, @EUCouncil edits the message, removing these references. No clarifications or explanations from the officials. We must increase the sanctions pressure, not decrease.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) June 7, 2022
24 May- EU Ministers Welcome Plan to create Solidarity Channels Facilitating Food Export from Ukraine
During the May council meeting, EU agriculture ministers welcomed the commission’s plan to build an EU-Ukraine solidarity channel. The main aim of creating channels is to overcome the blockade of the Ukrainian black sea.
This plan can ensure that Ukraine remains fully connected to world agriculture marks and continue to contribute to global food security.
EU ministers welcome @EU_commission plan to create solidarity channels to facilitate export of food from Ukraine to EU and world markets.
Ministers agree that the #CAP helps ensure #foodsecurity in the EU.
More about today’s meeting here 👇#AGRIFISH
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) May 24, 2022
Ministers also said thanks to the common agricultural policy (CAP) and agreed that the EU is self-sufficient in most agricultural commodities, and food supply is assured.
However, the main concern still remains, which is the affordability of the food, particularly for the low-income households.
Read More: Economic Implications of the Russia-Ukraine War for Europe
23 May- EU Increases Support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Council adopted two assistance measures under the European Peace Facility that will ensure further EU support to Ukraine.
Under this assistance, the EU will support the sheer resilience of the Ukrainian armed forces to defend their territorial integrity. Moreover, they will shield the civilian population from the ongoing Russian military aggression.
After spending 1.5 billion euros this year, the EU has pledged to add 500 million euros to mobilized resources. This inclusion will take the total amount to 2 billion euros.
⚡️EU approves 500 million euro tranche of military aid for Ukraine.
Previously the European Union had approved another 1.5 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, bringing the total to 2 billion euros.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 24, 2022
19 May- EU Member States to Collaborate to Store and Share Gas Supplies
One of the most important event in timeline of EU response to Moscow is that the EU Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement on new rules on gas storage.
The proposed regulation suggests filling the storage capacities in the EU before the winter season. And asked member states to share in a spirit of solidarity.
As the world’s second largest private player in the LNG sector, we have achieved a global market share of around 10%, thereby helping ensure secure gas supplies in Europe! 3/3 pic.twitter.com/QCRD98y1Hz
— TotalEnergies (@TotalEnergies) June 3, 2022
Every member state must be ready to fill underground gas storage up to 80% at least before the winter of 2022/2023. The EU will attempt collectively to fill 85% of the underground gas storage capacity in 2022.
Since all member states do not have storage facilities on their territory, it is clear that they will be able to access the gas storage reserves in other member states.
13 April- Council Agrees to Recommendation on the Exchange of Ukrainian Banknotes into EU Currencies
The Council has agreed on a suggestion to exchange Ukrainian hryvnia banknotes into EU currencies. This decision is made to support and facilitate the people who have fled the country because of war.
The objective is to further support the refugees who have problems exchanging their banknotes into EU currencies.
The scheme would allow people from Ukraine, including children, to exchange up to 10,000 hryvnias (approximately 310 euros) per person.
The Council has agreed a recommendation on the exchange of 🇺🇦 Ukrainian hryvnia banknotes into the 🇪🇺 currency of member states hosting Ukrainians escaping the war.
This will support refugees who are having difficulty exchanging their banknotes into EU currencies.
More 👇
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) April 13, 2022
12 April- Ukraine: EU countries to receive 3.5 billion euros in additional pre-financing for hosting refugees
The Council adopted a legislative act making available an additional 3.5 billion euros this year. The member states will receive based on the number of refugees arriving from Ukraine.
The Act introduces changes to increase pre-financing under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT_EU).
One of the largest post-pandemic recovery programs is to reinforce cohesion policy funds and the Fund for European Aid to the most deprived.
Specifically, pre-financing to be paid from REACT_EU in 2022 will increase from 11% to 15% for all member states. And from 11% to 45% for EU countries where the number of arrivals from Ukraine was greater than 1% of their population.
8 April- Fifth Package of Sanctions in Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Fifth package of sanctions against Russia has just been adopted by Member States.
Read more here: https://t.co/4jBFDYewqX pic.twitter.com/vh0yOIue7D
— Daniel Ferrie 🇪🇺 (@DanielFerrie) April 8, 2022
The Council agreed on the fifth package of sanctions against Russia. It was adopted to penalize Russia for its continuous war of aggression against Ukraine. The package includes a ban on:
-Imports from Russia of coal and other fossil fuels
-All Russian vessels from accessing EU ports
-Russian and Belarusian road transport operators from entering the EU
-Imports of other goods such as wood, cement, seafood and liquor
-Exports to Russia of jet fuel and other goods
-Deposit to crypto wallets
4 April- Council adopts 150 Million Euro Assistance to the Republic of Moldova
The EU decided to provide a new macro-financial assistance operation of 150 million euros in the form of loans and grants to benefit the republic of Moldova.
Conclusion
The above timeline of EU response to Moscow shows that EU is keen to help Ukraine in every possible way from strengthening their army with advanced weapons to impose harsh sanctions on Russia. But Russia is unstoppable and not looking to bend down or withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
Russia is taking total control on important positions of Ukraine and with EU continuous military help to Ukraine could turn this war into a WWIII.
