The EU will allocate 500 million euros to deal with the humanitarian consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
"This is the first time our union has used the European budget to purchase and supply military equipment for a country that has been attacked. 500 million euros for the European peace mechanism to support the defense of Ukraine. We will now also match this by allocating at least 500 million euros from the EU budget to deal with the humanitarian consequences of this tragic war both in the country and for refugees," von der Leyen said at an urgent European Parliament debate on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Brussels on Tuesday.
She said the EU is proposing to activate a temporary protection mechanism to ensure that refugees from Ukraine have safe status and access to schools, medical care and jobs.
"They deserve it. We have to do it now. And we know this is just the beginning. More Ukrainians will need our protection and solidarity, we are and will support them," von der Leyen assured.
