President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, in the course of which the parties have discussed the issue of assistance to the people affected by the actions of terrorists in the East of Ukraine.

The Head of State has expressed gratitude to the European Union for the assistance provided both at the level of the European Commission and at the level of separate member-states. "Your visit is a clear evidence of our European partners' readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to our state in the most difficult times in its history," the President said.

The Head of State has emphasized that "the actions of Russian-backed terrorists and regular Russian troops in the Donbas have led to extensive destruction and both physical and moral suffering of Ukrainians". "Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in the ATO area need humanitarian assistance. The true one, not pseudo-assistance consisting of fuel for tanks and weapons for terrorists that the aggressor is going to send to the Donbas for the twelfth time already," the President noted.

According to the Head of State, the EU's humanitarian assistance allowed to meet the most urgent needs of the affected population and properly prepare to the winter period. In addition, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism established in October 2014 will enhance coordination of actions on the provision of the humanitarian assistance between Ukraine, European Commission and EU member-states.

The President has noted that "crimes against humanity and terrorism must receive an adequate response from the EU". "We are going to file a suit to the Hague Tribunal, which must investigate into these crimes against humanity," the President informed. "It is a test for humanity and moral dignity. Because turning a blind eye to such horrible and shameful crimes means indulging terrorists and aggressors and violating high European values for which Ukrainians are suffering and dying," the Head of State said.

European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has noted that the Donbas conflict led to a difficult humanitarian situation. The EU has been providing the humanitarian assistance since the very beginning and is willing to continue doing so. "I can tell that the European Commission is planning to allocate EUR 15 million in the form of the humanitarian assistance this year. The given sum increases the overall volume of the humanitarian assistance from the European Commission and the EU member-states up to more than EUR 92 million," the European Commissioner emphasized.

According to him, the assistance includes products, water, heating equipment and direct cash support to the internally displaced persons and the people remaining in the ATO area.

Christos Stylianides has emphasized that the EU demonstrated support and solidarity with Ukraine. He has condemned the attack on Mariupol and called on the perpetrators of the escalation to stop hostilities.  "I call for the complete and immediate fulfillment of the Minsk agreements by all the parties. We need a political solution to the conflict – the decision that fully respects sovereignty and territorial integrity," the European Commissioner noted.