EU to provide 1.4-bln-euro military assistance to Ukraine in July - Borrell

BRUSSELS. June 25 (Interfax) - The EU foreign ministers have approved a legal framework for using revenues from immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine, and 1.4 billion euros will be allotted to Kiev shortly, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said.

"Ministers today agreed on a legal framework for the use of windfall profits from immobilized Russian assets to be allocated to European Peace Facility," Borrell said at a press conference in Luxembourg on Monday, following a Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

According to Borrell, 1.4 billion euros might be disbursed to Ukraine next month, and another 1 billion euros would be provided before the end of this year to purchase air defense systems and ammunition and to support the Ukrainian defense sector.

The ministers have thus dealt with "structural difficulties" that persisted for 18 months, Borrell said.

He also expressed hope for the soonest signing of a security guarantee agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.

"We are finalizing our security commitments with Ukraine, I hope work will be completed very soon in order to be able to sign these security commitments maybe still this month, maybe on the margins of the next European Union Council," Borrell said.

"Clear message to Russia about our will to continue supporting Ukraine," he said.