By KYIV. Nov 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib called for continued support for Ukraine and assured that Kyiv can count on Belgium “today, tomorrow, during the EU presidency and after.”
“Ukraine can count on Belgium today, tomorrow, during our EU presidency and after it,” Lahbib said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels.
She emphasized that Belgium has accepted thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the first days of Russian full-scale aggression, and the country remains committed to supporting Ukraine in all areas: political, diplomatic, legal, economic and military. In particular, the minister recalled that Belgium recently created a special fund to support Ukraine in the amount of EUR 1.7 billion, “half of which will go to military support and half to civilian support.”
“Kyiv is located only 2,000 km from Brussels. We must not lose sight of Ukraine’s war. We must continue to reaffirm our resolve to support you. Because your struggle, the struggle of our Ukrainian friends, is our struggle,” Lahbib urged.
In addition, the Foreign Minister emphasized that Belgium would train pilots and technicians and maintain F-16 aircraft, and the government is also preparing to supply F-16 aircraft to Ukraine from 2025.
“Belgium and Ukraine have become more united, united for a fair peace, responsibility and work for the benefit of EU membership,” she noted.
