EU solidarity with Ukraine
The EU stands in full solidarity with Ukraine and commends the people of Ukraine for their courage in defending their country.
In response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the EU has shown unity and strength and has provided Ukraine with coordinated humanitarian, political, financial and material support.
We commend the people of Ukraine for their courage in defending their country and our shared values of freedom and democracy. We will not leave them alone.
EU leaders, 10 March 2022
On this page you can find information about the concrete actions taken by the EU in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people:
-reception of refugees
-humanitarian aid
-civil protection support
-support for member states
-economic assistance
-support for the Ukrainian armed forces
-support in the prosecution of war crimes
-Reception of refugees
-Temporary protection mechanism
-Russia's military aggression against Ukraine has led to an influx of millions of people seeking refuge in the EU and in the Republic of Moldova.
This infographic explains what temporary protection means for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and how it works. See full infographic
On 4 March 2022, the EU activated the temporary protection directive. The objective is to alleviate pressure on national asylum systems and to allow displaced persons to enjoy harmonised rights across the EU. These rights include:
-residence
-access to the labour market and housing
-medical assistance
-social welfare assistance
-access to education for children
-Temporary protection is an emergency mechanism which can be activated in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and which aims to provide immediate and collective protection for displaced persons who are not in a position to return to their country of origin.
The temporary protection will last for at least one year (until 4 March 2023) and up to three years, depending on how the situation in Ukraine evolves.
Ukraine: Council introduces temporary protection for persons fleeing the war (press release, 4 March 2022)
Refugee inflow from Ukraine (background information)
Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine (European Commission)
How you can help if you are based in the EU (European Commission)
Operational guidelines to support member states in applying the temporary protection directive (European Commission)
Humanitarian aid
The EU has allocated €348 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the war in Ukraine. This includes €335 million for Ukraine and €13 million for Moldova.
€335million
in humanitarian aid for Ukraine
€13 million
in humanitarian aid for Moldova
The funding is helping people inside Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring countries by providing:
-food
-water
-healthcare
-shelter
So far, over 7.8 million people have benefitted from humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. This funding is part of the €1 billion support package pledged by the European Commission to address the most pressing humanitarian needs, both inside Ukraine and beyond.
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