Official: EU maintains support for Ukraine amid Kursk events

Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the EU Peter Stano has stated that the events in the Kursk region will not affect the EU's support for Ukraine.

Stano emphasized that the EU's position, defined by several European Council decisions, has remained unchanged since February 2022, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

He noted that this includes full support for Ukraine and its military efforts, encompassing political, financial, diplomatic, and military aid.

"The right to self-defense also includes the right to strike the enemy on its own territory. Our support for Ukraine remains steadfast," Stano said in response to a question about whether Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would alter the EU's stance.

"We are in constant contact with our partners in Kyiv," he said. "Regarding the events in Kursk, it is not for us to comment. The EU is not involved in this and does not comment on operational situations on the ground. However, we fully support Ukraine's actions to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the total support provided to Kyiv by the EU and its member states has reached 108 billion euros ($117 million).

The Kursk region was subjected to a massive attack from Ukraine on August 6. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces attempted to breach the border using tanks and armoured vehicles. The shelling and drone attacks resulted in the deaths of three residents and injured 24 people, including six children. Four more drones were shot down over the region. Acting Governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, stated that he had a phone conversation with the president during the night, briefing him on the situation in the region.