European Union Foreign Ministers Meet for the First Time in Kyiv

The summit of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv is the first such meeting outside the EU. EU diplomacy chief Borrell described it as “historic”. The foreign ministers of all 27 EU member states gathered in Kyiv on Monday, 2 October, for an informal meeting. This is the first such summit outside the EU. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called it “historic”, adding that Ukraine is a future EU member state. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also visited the Ukrainian capital, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said on the morning of 2 October in response to a request from journalists. According to Reuters, the informal summit in Kyiv was planned to emphasize the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. The start of this meeting was not announced until the very moment it took place for security reasons. Borrell said on 2 October that the summit in the Ukrainian capital would, among other things, discuss Kiev’s peace plan to increase its support in the international arena and prepare for the next summit on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. Asked whether Europeans need to increase support for Ukraine against the backdrop of the situation with the US Congress, which on 30 September did not include the relevant spending item in the temporary budget bill aimed at avoiding a shutdown of the Federal Government, Borrell stressed that for Europeans the war in Ukraine “is an existential threat”. “Therefore, we must continue to support you and discuss this with our American allies and friends so that they also continue to support you. I am sure that this decision will be reconsidered and together we will be on your side,” the European diplomat pointed out, addressing Ukrainian partners.