21st #EUUkraineSummit kicks off in Kyiv

The 21^st bilateral summit between the European Union and Ukraine took place in Kyiv on 8 July, with Ukraine's progress in its reform path, supported by the European Union, high on the agenda. The summit will be the first since the new President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took office on 20 May, and follows his visit to Brussels – his first trip as President - on 4-5 June.

The European Union was represented at the summit by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and European Council President Donald Tusk. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, also participated. Leaders discussed the next steps in the implementation of the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

They also discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the implementation of the Minsk agreement, the consequences of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, and regional and foreign policy issues. The European Union, together with the European Financial Institutions, has already mobilized €15 billion in support of Ukraine's reform process since 2014. Further tangible support was also announced at the summit, including in relation to decentralization, fighting corruption, the energy sector, further empowering civil society, mine action and psychosocial support, and support to the local economy and communities in the Sea of Azov region.

For more information on the summit, visit the website, and for more information on EU-Ukraine relations, consult the dedicated factsheet.

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