DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 24 February 2026
Statement by President von der Leyen with President Costa and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
Dear Volodymyr,
Dear António,
Commissioners,
Today, we stand in Kyiv on a grim anniversary. It has been four years since Russia launched its full-scale war against your country. But even in the face of this terror, the resilience of the Ukrainian people remains undimmed. We have seen four years of extraordinary courage from your soldiers and your citizens, whose bravery will echo through history. This will never be forgotten. In those four years, the support from your friends and allies has been unwavering – in Europe and beyond. And you can count on it. Since the beginning of the war, the EU has provided nearly EUR 200 billion in military and financial support. More than any other partner. And there is more to come.
Let me spell out three ways how our support will be maintained, and reinforced. The first one is the EU loan of EUR 90 billion. We call it the steel porcupine loan, because it should give Ukraine the strength of a steel porcupine – indigestible for potential invaders. Let me be crystal clear – and the President of the Council also said it –, the loan was agreed by 27 Heads of State and Government at the European Council. They have given their word. It cannot be broken. We will deliver on the loan one way or the other. Let me be very clear, we have different options, and we will use them.
Now let us look at the loan itself. The first priority of the porcupine loan is to address your most urgent defence needs. It will help to procure, to produce, to develop, and to secure advanced defence equipment for the brave Ukrainian forces. That ranges from drones, to missiles, to ammunition. And the work has already started. Together with the Ukrainian forces, we have identified a first priority package. Our aim is to deliver it before Easter. It includes drones and ammunition. In parallel, we are working intensely on the integration of both our defence industries. We can learn a lot from the Ukrainian defence industry. You can count on us with our well-established structures in the defence industries. More integration is the goal. Of course, the ultimate goal is that your soldiers will gain a decisive edge on the battlefield to protect Ukraine. And, of course, the EU will have access to valuable, cutting-edge innovation that is also applicable to other industries.
The second priority is to help you through this harsh winter. ‘Invincibility tents' – we have seen it this morning, we visited one – have become the symbol of the Ukrainian solidarity and the unbreakable resolve of Ukraine. In this difficult moment, let me reassure you that we stand firmly by your side. The European Commission is the largest donor of energy support, to a value of EUR 3 billion so far. Since the start of the war, we have provided over 11,000 generators. Almost 1,000 delivered in January alone. But of course, we have to go further. Therefore, we now have a new package of EUR 100 million to deliver immediate support, so for what is needed right now. It is available immediately. And while we help you through this winter, we start preparing for the next one, together with you. We will work on a new Winter Energy Plan for 2026-2027. We call it ‘Repair, Rebuild, Restart'. It will include a package of EUR 920 million, to stabilise Ukraine's energy system. It will secure the steady flow of electricity across the country. It will accelerate the decentralised production of renewable energy. President Zelenskyy mentioned how important it is. It will of course repair, rebuild and modernise grids. And it will repair and restart damaged power plants.
Let me add that there is a lot of coordination that has to be done, because a lot of in-kind support is needed. It is available, but we have to bring it together. Commissioner Jørgensen and Deputy Prime Minister Shmyhal will convene a ‘Energy Ramstein' in March already in order to coordinate and have a very seamless and precise work from both sides – Ukraine and the European Union. It will ensure that Ukraine gets the exact supplies and material it needs now.
Finally, let me address the issue of energy security within the European Union. The Russian attacks on the Druzhba pipeline have had a direct impact on European energy security. We sharply condemn these Russian attacks. I would like to thank Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, for his efforts to secure and increase the transport of oil to Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia through the Adriatic pipeline. In the meantime, we ask for the repairs on the Druzhba pipeline after the Russian attacks to be accelerated.
Our third priority is to maintain maximum pressure on the aggressor. We will soon get our 20th sanctions package over the line. Our sanctions will keep draining Russia's revenues and weakening its war machine. And we are closely coordinating with our G7 partners for maximum scope and impact.
This morning, we honoured your fallen at the People's Memorial on Maidan Square. And today, I am also thinking of their comrades, bravely holding the line in the trenches. They fight for peace. They fight for a better future for their children. They fight for a simple dream of a free and sovereign Ukraine, at the heart of a free Europe. So let me conclude by saying to them: Europe will stand by you and stand with you until you have made that dream come true.
Long live Europe and slava Ukraini.
The new European Centre for Democratic Resilience starts its work
At today's meeting of the General Affairs Council, EU Ministers were invited by the Commission and the Council Presidency to mark the start of the work of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The aim of the Centre, a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield, is to facilitate a consolidated approach involving all of society to increase awareness and boost the capacity to respond to the threats faced by democracies today, and build democratic resilience.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “In a world where information is increasingly weaponised to undermine our democracies, we are taking action. With the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, we will level up our collective capacity to counter foreign information manipulation and disinformation. This will strengthen our resilience, ensure Europe's public debate remains open and fair, and empower citizens to participate in democratic life.”
Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, will discuss with EU Ministers how the Centre can facilitate the sharing of expertise and experience and support the development of effective responses to common threats, to deliver tangible results for our citizens. The interest shown by all Member States in the setting up of the Centre demonstrates that the initiative responds to a clear need and it will be rolled out in a flexible way, with practical capacity-building projects that reflect Member States priorities. The Centre will help avoid the fragmentation of existing efforts, connecting existing networks and structures which already work on the prevention, detection, analysis and response options to patterns of threats in the information space helping each one deliver to their full potential and avoiding duplication.
Emerging priority areas for the first year include:
The Commission, with the participation of the European External Action Service, will support the Centre's activities by drawing on existing tools and expertise and by strengthening coordination across relevant EU instruments and networks.
With the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, we take a further step to reinforce democratic resilience, protect the integrity of public debate and strengthen trust in Europe's democratic systems.
Background
The European Centre for Democratic Resilience is a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield, presented in the Joint Communication of 12 November 2025, as outlined in the political guidelines and the 2025 State of the Union address by President von der Leyen. The European Democracy Shield set out a series of concrete measures to empower, protect, and promote strong and resilient democracies across the EU.
In an age of growing political confrontation, regional and international conflicts and rapid technological disruption, democracies are facing internal and external pressures. Authoritarian regimes seek to exploit divisions, sow mistrust, and restrict democratic actors such as free media and civil society. In doing so, they erode trust in democratic institutions, undermine free and fair elections and challenge the very values on which the European Union is founded. These threats unfold against the backdrop of a deep digital transformation that brings both new opportunities and new vulnerabilities. At the same time, declining public trust and engagement, along with unprecedented risks faced by civil society organisations, further endanger the promotion of fundamental rights across the EU.
Through the external dimension of the European Democracy Shield, the External Action Service (EEAS), in coordination with the Commission, will step up its work to combat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) beyond our borders. The EEAS is reinforcing capabilities in EU Delegations and Representations abroad, leveraging partnerships for collective responses against FIMI.
The European Centre for Democratic Resilience will serve as a voluntary strategic hub for cooperation amongst Member States. With the support of relevant EU institutions and bodies, it will operate in full respect of national and institutional competences while fostering fundamental rights and democratic values.
The Commission provides administrative and operational support to the Centre through a Secretariat. Supported by and in close coordination with the Rapid Alert System managed by the European External Action Service, the Centre will link together existing networks and structures.
A high-level technical meeting was hosted in Brussels on 29 January with full participation of all EU Member States as well as the European Commission, EEAS, European Parliament and the Council Presidency. Participants discussed the mission and framework of the Centre and agreed on the need for coordinated, collaborative action to support democratic resilience.
Respondents to the Special Eurobarometer on “Protecting and promoting democracy” mentioned the following among the most serious challenges to democracy in the EU: the growing public distrust towards democratic institutions and processes (49%), foreign information manipulation, interference and disinformation, including in the context of elections (42%) and the lack of transparency with regard to whether political content online is promoted through new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (32%).
For more information:
European Centre for Democratic Resilience - Webpage
Communication on the European Democracy Shield
Factsheet on European Democracy Shield
Democracy and electoral rights
Media freedom and pluralism | Shaping Europe's digital future
Quote(s)
In a world where information is increasingly weaponised to undermine our democracies, we are taking action. With the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, we will level up our collective capacity to counter foreign information manipulation and disinformation. This will strengthen our resilience, ensure Europe’s public debate remains open and fair, and empower citizens to participate in democratic life.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
The Centre for Democratic Resilience underscores our unwavering commitment to fortifying our democracies. By adopting a proactive and inclusive approach, we are embracing innovation and collaboration across all sectors of society and government alike. Together, we are not merely defending our democratic ideals; we are revitalising them for future generations.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Today’s wars are not only fought with tanks and drones but with lies and algorithms too. European democracies are already prime targets of foreign interference, including from Russia and China. We are no longer talking about disinformation but state-sponsored operations that seek to confuse European citizens and shape the way we vote. The closer a candidate country comes to EU membership, the more likely a target it is. Together with the expertise and support from the European External Action Service, our new Centre for Democratic Resilience will help countries build up their situational awareness and protect Europe’s democratic space.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
There is immense strength and wisdom across our Union. The European Centre for Democratic Resilience transforms these individual strengths into collective resilience. It helps us connect the dots, uniting governments and societies alike to safeguard our democracies and shape a future grounded in our values and fundamental rights —particularly the freedom to vote and freedom of expression.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Commission acts to safeguard availability and affordability of fertilisers
Delivering on its commitment made at the ministerial meeting of 7 January, the European Commission has proposed to suspend, for one year, the most favoured nation (MFN) duties on imports of several key nitrogen fertilisers and inputs for their production (ammonia, urea). The tariff suspension will be implemented for all countries, except Russia and Belarus, through duty-free tariff rate quotas.
The measure will strengthen the EU's agri-food sector, lowering costs for farmers and the fertilisers industry by saving an estimated €60 million in import duties. It will also facilitate the reduction of the EU's dependency on Russia and Belarus and support diversification of supply, where imports are still needed for the EU agricultural sector and the fertiliser industry. This will help ensure the EU's food security and sovereignty in an increasingly unstable and uncertain world.
By eliminating MFN tariffs and by opening new opportunities via trade agreements, the Commission's main aim is to support competitive, EU agri-food and fertilisers sectors, while searching for new and reliable suppliers. The proposed measure is carefully calibrated to the needs of the EU market, through the establishment of a quota system. Imports beyond these quotas will be subject to standard MFN duties.
This initiative delivers on the Commission's commitment to address rising costs faced by EU farmers, and is an important component of the Commission's work to address the high cost of fertilisers to EU farmers. It also aligns with broader efforts to secure EU food sovereignty and economic security in an uncertain global landscape. In December 2025, the Commission already proposed EU-level action focused on fertilisers. An exception to the standard calculation rules was proposed, to reduce the impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on fertilisers, making them the only commodity to benefit from such an exception (use of a 1% markup instead of 10 % with a progressive increase to 30 % for all other sectors). In the context of CBAM implementation, the Commission continues to closely monitor the market.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)
Commission approves €400 million Greek State aid scheme to support cleantech manufacturing capacity, contributing to Clean Industrial Deal objectives
The European Commission has approved a €400 million Greek State aid scheme to support strategic investments that add clean technology (cleantech) manufacturing capacity in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy.
The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025.
The purpose of the scheme is to grant aid for investments that add manufacturing capacity for the production, including with secondary raw materials, of net-zero technologies and their main specific components listed in Annex II of the CISAF, as well as the production of new or recovered related critical raw materials necessary for the production of the final products or main specific components. The aid will take the form of direct grants and tax advantages. The measure will be open to companies in the whole territory of Greece. The aid may be granted until 31 December 2030.
The Commission concluded that the Greek scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal.
Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, in charge of competition policy, said: “This scheme will ensure additional clean technology manufacturing capacity in Greece. The Greek state can provide €400 million in support for key investments in the sector, using a range of different measures. This new manufacturing potential will contribute to reaching the goals of the Clean Industrial Deal, while ensuring that potential competition distortions are kept to a minimum.”
A press release is available online
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Commissioners Várhelyi and Hansen participate in the Salon International de l'Agriculture in Paris
This week, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen visit the Salon International de l'Agriculture, which this year focuses on the theme ‘Generations Solutions.' These visits reflect the European Commission's ongoing engagement with Member States and agricultural partners to ensure a sustainable, competitive, high quality and fair European agri-food sector, while addressing the concerns of farmers and rural communities in the face of global challenges.
Commissioner Várhelyi will attend the fair today. He will engage with French horizontal and sectoral agricultural organisations, to discuss critical issues such as combatting animal diseases, use of plant protection products, maintaining food safety standards and European competitiveness. He will also bilaterally meet with the French Minister for Agriculture, Annie Genevard, to discuss shared priorities.
Commissioner Hansen will visit the Salon tomorrow. He will meet with a broad range of stakeholders - from young farmers and cereal producers to winegrowers and livestock associations. They will discuss the Commission's proposals for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the challenges facing key sectors such as viticulture and beef production. During his visit, Commissioner Hansen will also meet Minister Genevard to take stock of all actions undertaken since the presentation of the Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food and to hear details of France's priorities for the agriculture sector and the CAP.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
Calendar items of the President and Commissioners
Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners
Joint Statement by the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Parliament on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Today, four years ago Russia started its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Once again, we pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, who continue to resist and defend their country.
Russia has not achieved its military objectives in Ukraine. As Russia cannot advance on the battle ground, it deliberately targets Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools and residential buildings in the midst of a severe winter. Ukrainians remain formidable in their fortitude, determination and resilience.
The European Union has stood firmly with Ukraine and its people from the very first day of Russia's aggression. Our objective is a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace – a peace with dignity and long-term security. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. No country can annex its neighbour. Borders cannot be changed by force. The aggressor cannot be rewarded. In the current challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine.
The European Union will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. We remain Ukraine's biggest donor. In addition to the close to EUR 200 billion of support since 2022, European leaders have agreed to provide to Ukraine EUR 90 billion in 2026-27 to help ensuring that Ukraine can meet its urgent budgetary and defence needs and remain strong in the face of Russia's attacks. EUR 60 billion of this support package will be spent on military needs (the “Porcupine programme”). The first payment will be made as soon as possible.
This winter, the EU and its Member States have delivered unprecedented energy assistance to Ukraine, alongside air defence and anti-drone systems, as well as humanitarian aid. A new support package for emergency delivery of generators and humanitarian aid. To enhance Ukraine's energy resilience and avoid a repeat of today's emergency, we are working with Ukraine on a new energy security and preparedness plan focusing on repair of and reinforcement of grids, quick restart of damaged power plants and rapid deployment of decentralised renewables power production.
Putin's war of attrition is steadily wearing Russia down, and we are determined to put further pressure on Russia to stop its aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace. We are determined to increase the pressure on Russia's energy and financial sector and to take additional measures against the shadow fleet.
But our efforts in support of Ukraine also look to the day after – when the fighting ends. The European Union and its Member States, in line with their respective competences, are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees to ensure that Russia can never attack Ukraine again.
We will make sure that Russia will be held accountable for the crimes committed and the damage it has caused. We are committed to operationalising the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, both within the framework of the Council of Europe, as soon as possible.
The future of a secure and prosperous Ukraine lies in the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress on the EU accession reforms under very challenging circumstances. Ukraine can count on our full support on its EU accession and or its post-war reconstruction.
We stand firm with Ukraine. For a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Please note the following press events concerning this week’s meeting of the College on Thursday, 26 February:
Following the meeting of the College: Read-out of the College meeting / press conference by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner Brunner on preventing and countering terrorism, and combatting firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences
15:45 Press point by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib on the Commission’s response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’ [VIP corner]
Follow live on EBS.