European Union foreign ministers on Monday discussed the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and stood united in their support for Ukraine. The EU will continue to support Ukraine economically and financially, and to support the Ukrainian armed forces, according to an EU statement released Monday night after the formal ministerial meeting. In this regard, the ministers reached a political agreement on additional 500 million euros ($550 million) to be mobilized under the European Peace Facility. "They agreed to continue to contain and isolate Russia diplomatically and on the international stage, and call out its war crimes, and violations of international humanitarian law,” noted the statement. So far 13 million Ukrainians are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, and over 3.3 million have fled the country. The EU stands ready to further strengthen its sanctions on Russia if the situation so requires, and engage with international partners. EU foreign affairs and defense ministers sitting in a joint session approved the Strategic Compass, a plan of action for strengthening the EU"s security and defence policy by 2030. The Compass also clearly stresses the importance of the transAtlantic relation and of NATO"s role in collective defense. A stronger and more capable EU in the field of security and defense will help strengthen transAtlantic security and NATO, it said. In a separate meeting, EU defense ministers discussed defense-related questions regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, the EU foreign ministers exchanged views about the situation in Mali. Not only the transition authorities in Mali called for the withdrawal of the Barkhane and Takuba forces from the country, but also decided to cooperate with the Russian affiliated mercenary forces of the Wagner Group, said the statement. The ministers confirmed that the EU military training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) cannot become involved in any way in activities that could undermine the reputation of the EU. For this reason EU High Representative Josep Borrell asked in writing for guarantees that those units that are trained by the EU would not work or cooperate with the Wagner Group. The EU is awaiting a response from the Malian authorities and in case those guarantees were not granted, the EU would have no choice but to reconsider its presence in Mali, it added. — KUNA