COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/338

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 41(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas: HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1
Establishment, objectives, scope and duration

1.   An assistance measure benefitting Ukraine (the ‘beneficiary’) is hereby established, to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘Assistance Measure’).

2.   The objective of the Assistance Measure is to contribute to strengthening the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and protect the civilian population against the ongoing military aggression.

3.   To achieve the objective set out in paragraph 2, the Assistance Measure shall finance the provision of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

4.   The duration of the Assistance Measure shall be 24 months from the adoption of this Decision.

Article 2
Financial arrangements

1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the Assistance Measure shall be EUR 450 000 000.

2.   All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.

3.   In accordance with Article 29(5) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the administrator for assistance measures may call for contributions following the adoption of this Decision, up to EUR 450 000 000. The funds called by the administrator for assistance measures shall only be used to pay expenditure within the limits approved by the Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 in the 2022 amending budget corresponding to the Assistance Measure.

4.   Expenditure related to the implementation of the Assistance Measure shall be eligible as from 1 January 2022 and until a date to be determined by the Council.

Article 3
Arrangements with the beneficiary

1.   The High Representative shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with international law, in particular international human rights and international humanitarian law, and Article 62(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, as a condition for the provision of support under the Assistance Measure.

2.   The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the Assistance Measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 4
Implementation

1.   The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF, consistent with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF.

2.   The Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall further define the type and quantity of support to be financed under the Assistance Measure, considering the priorities recommended by the European Union Military Staff to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

3.   The administrator for assistance measures, on the basis of information received from the implementing actor(s), shall report to the Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 on the delivery of equipment, including quantities, types and any other relevant information, for further follow-up and monitoring.

4.   The implementation of the activity referred to in Article 1(3) may be carried out by:

Article 5
Support by Member States

The Member States shall permit the transit of military equipment, including accompanying personnel, through their territories, including their airspace.

Article 6
Monitoring, control and evaluation

1.   The High Representative shall ensure the monitoring of the respect of the obligations established in accordance with Article 3 by the beneficiary. Such monitoring shall provide awareness of the context and risks of breaches of the obligations established in accordance with Article 3, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces supported under the Assistance Measure.

2.   The post-shipment control of equipment shall be organised in a manner consistent with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF.

Article 7
Reporting

During the period of implementation, the High Representative shall provide the PSC with six-monthly reports on the implementation of the Assistance Measure, in accordance with Article 63 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509.

Article 8
Suspension and termination

The PSC may decide to suspend wholly or partially the implementation of the Assistance Measure in accordance with Article 64 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509.

The PSC may also recommend that the Council terminate the Assistance Measure.

Article 9
Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 1 January 2022.


 * Done at Brussels, 28 February 2022.