The EU and its international partners are united in condemning Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We have and will continue to provide support to those seeking shelter and help those looking for a safe way home. The EU will continue to offer strong political, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and impose hard-hitting sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war.
Key Initiatives
The EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes have become the most prominent example of EU transport policy support for Ukraine. Set up less than three months after Russia unjustifiably invaded Ukraine, they were transporting exports of around 7 million tonnes and more than 2 million tonnes of imports per month at the height of operations, when the Black Sea Route was blocked. They have become a lifeline for Ukraine, creating much-needed income of more than €46 billion for Ukraine’s economy, and allowing the country to import what it needs (source: Ukraine customs registers, January 2024).
A road transport agreement between the EU and Ukraine supports our trade (a similar agreement is in place for Moldova), while the extension of the trans-European transport network to Ukraine and Moldova will further improve connectivity. As of 2023, when Ukraine and Moldova became associated to the Connecting Europe Facility, both countries can also apply for EU funding to modernise their transport infrastructure and further strengthen physical and economic ties with the EU.
Adapting to a new geopolitical reality, the EU launched a new Military Mobility Action Plan setting out what is needed to allow armed forces to move faster across EU internal borders. This is supported by specific calls launched under the Connecting Europe Facility. In total, the Commission is supporting 95 military mobility projects with €1.74 billion.
Extensive EU sanctions affecting air, maritime, road and rail transport have limited Russia’s ability to acquire the goods that it needs for military purposes, and to grow its economy. Both Russian and Belarussian carriers are also banned from EU airspace.
The EU also welcomed the decision taken at international level by the UN’s Civil Aviation body (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to remove Russia from the respective governing body. ICAO also condemned Russia and Belarus for grave violations of international aviation rules, and declared aviation in Russia to be unsafe.