Reply
25.4.2022
On 2 December 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/2135[1] on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). The assistance measure strengthens the capacities of the UAF with respect to its cyber defence, among other areas.
In its request, Ukraine identified cybersecurity-related projects that could benefit from external co-funding to speed up their implementation. It is not for the Council to reply on behalf of the Member States.
Nevertheless, it can be noted that the Member States participating in the Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs) project, established within the framework of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO), decided on 22 February 2022 to activate the CRRTs in support of the Ukrainian request and are cooperating with the Ukrainian authorities to identify the support needs. Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania are the Member States participating in the PESCO CRRT project[2].
In the conclusions[3] of the special meeting of the European Council on 24 February 2022, the leaders demanded that Russia immediately cease its military actions, unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.
The European Council called on Russia and Russia-backed armed formations to respect international humanitarian law and stop their disinformation campaign and cyber-attacks[4].
- [1] OJ L 432, 3.12.2021, p. 59
- [2] For more information on the PESCO CRRT project, please visit https://pesco.europa.eu/project/cyber-rapid-response-teams-and-mutual-assistance-in-cyber-security/ and https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2022/02/24/-of-first-capability-developed-under-pesco-points-to-strength-of-cooperation-in-cyber-defence
- [3] EUCO 18/22
- [4] Taking into account the dynamic developments regarding Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, the reply reflects the situation on 21 March 2022, when the reply was prepared. It was not possible to cover any new developments that might have occurred before transmitting the reply to the Parliament