The European Union is set to establish a new position of Special Representative for Ukrainian Affairs, which will be held by Ilva Johansson, who served as the European Commissioner for Home Affairs from 2019 to 2024, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Politico.
According to the publication, the main objective of this new role will be to strengthen coordination, advocate for the interests of Ukrainians, and implement effective tools of support for them within the EU. The position comes in response to the unprecedented number of Ukrainian citizens who sought refuge across the EU member states following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Johansson has paid multiple visits to Ukraine, including a refugee camp on the Romanian border. In 2022, she was awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit, Second Class, in recognition of her contributions.
Currently, millions of Ukrainians remain in the European Union under temporary protection status, which is set to remain valid until March 2026.
Earlier we wrote that 18th EU sanctions package to hit Russia.