EU Summit Draft Strongly Backs Ukraine, Moldova, Chastises Georgia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (file photo)

The European Union will continue to strongly support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion and will keep offering all its backing to Moldova in its efforts to join the 27-member bloc, according to draft conclusions of a summit scheduled for next week.

The draft, a copy of which was seen by RFE/RL, also warns Georgia that recent legislative moves similar to measures taken by Moscow to stifle political opposition and restrain the rights of the LGBT community "jeopardize" Tbilisi's path to integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The document, which can still be amended before the October 17-18 summit in Brussels, says the bloc continues to show "unwavering commitment" in providing all types of support to Kyiv "for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed," adding, "Russia must not prevail."

While reiterating its support for a peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, the EU reaffirmed that "no initiative about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine."

The draft also calls for "rapidly stepping up military support and accelerating its delivery," with an emphasis on air-defense systems, ammunition, and missiles.

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The EU also welcomes the commitment taken in June by the Group of 7 industrialized countries (G7) to provide about 45 billion euros ($50 billion) to Ukraine by the end of the year by using revenues from frozen Russian assets abroad, the draft says.

The council also will call for deeper integration of Ukraine's energy system with that of the bloc ahead of the cold season and in the face of repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The draft statement said the bloc will call for "full and effective enforcement" of sanctions against Russia and for extra punitive measures to counter their circumvention.

The document also expresses the bloc's "strong support" for Moldova's EU accession path and its "unwavering commitment" to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Moldova, which secured candidate status in June 2022 together with Ukraine and opened accession talks in June, faces a crucial presidential election and a referendum on EU membership on October 20, and has been targeted by a Russian disinformation campaign meant to scupper the reelection of pro-Western President Maia Sandu.

The EU "condemns Russia’s persistent attempts to use foreign information manipulation and interference to undermine democratic elections and the choice of the Moldovan people for a prosperous, stable and peaceful European future," the draft says.

In Georgia's case, Brussels will also reiterate "its serious concern regarding the course of action in Georgia which runs contrary to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded," the draft says.

The ruling Georgian Dream party passed and promulgated in quick succession this spring and summer two bills that have sparked massive popular protests and scathing criticism from Brussels and Washington.

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One of the pieces of legislation is the "foreign influence" bill, seen as similar to the "foreign agent" law passed several years ago by Russia that allows the Kremlin to stifle political opposition and restrict free speech. The second is a measure that curbs the rights of LGBT people in the name of protecting "traditional family values."

Both passed despite being opposed by President Salome Zurabishvili, whose opposition was easily circumvented by the Georgian Dream lawmakers amid a parliamentary boycott by the opposition.

Brussels "recalls that not reversing the current course of action jeopardizes Georgia's EU path, de facto leading to a halt, the draft says, adding, "it calls on Georgia to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration."

While reaffirming the bloc's support for the Georgian people's desire to join the EU, the draft also warns Georgia's current government to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary elections to be held later this month "are free and fair."