BRUSSELS

The EU approved another €500 million ($543 million) of military aid on Wednesday for Ukraine.

Upon the initiative of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the Council of the European Union decided to add the money to the European Peace Facility in support of Ukraine, the EU institution representing EU member states said in a statement.

The new funds bring total EU aid for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion).

In comments welcoming the decision, Borrell pointed out that the next weeks will be “decisive” for Ukraine.

“As Russia prepares for an offensive on the East of Ukraine, it is crucial that we continue and step up our military support to Ukraine to defend its territory and population and prevent further suffering,” he said.

The aid will cover the provision of equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian army, including “personal protective equipment, first aid kits, and fuel, as well as military equipment designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes,” said the statement.

Since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24, the EU has imposed five sets of sanctions on Russia for violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The measures target 1,002 individuals and 32 entities, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, oligarchs and military officers.

The EU has also banned coal imports and luxury goods exports to Russia, as well as barring Russian and Belarusian banks from operating in the SWIFT international banking system.

At least 1,892 civilians have been killed and 2,558 injured in Ukraine since the start of the war, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much higher.

More than 4.6 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.