BERLIN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with counterparts from major European countries on Thursday to reiterate their support for Ukraine on its "irreversible path" to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.
These countries will step up military, economic, and financial aid to Ukraine, including by mobilizing additional European funding, according to a joint statement issued by foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom as well as the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy.
The statement also stressed that they will continue to support Ukraine on its path towards accession to the European Union.
The goals of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine and durable security for Europe are inseparable, it said.
It also stressed that a rapid and collective implementation of the G7 50-billion-U.S.-dollar loan will help Ukraine cover urgent needs, including military ones.
"We are committed to providing Ukraine with ironclad security guarantees, including reliable long-term provision of military and financial support," it noted. ■