Russia has been warned not to count on “weariness” in Europe over support for Ukraine, as European Union (EU) foreign ministers meet in Kyiv.

This is the first time the assembly has been held outside the bloc. The Ukraine does not belong to the EU but wants to become a member.

The meeting comes a day after further military funding for Ukraine was excluded from the US budget deal at the last minute.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been described as an “existential crisis” by EU policy chief Josep Borrell.

“Maybe not everyone around the world sees it this way, but for us, Europeans, it is an existential threat,” Mr Borrell told the audience.

“That’s why we have to keep supporting you and discussing with our American allies and friends how they can continue to do so.”

Over the next few years, the EU will provide Ukraine with more than €70 billion (£60 billion) of military and civilian assistance.

With its military support, Mr Borrell aims for “sustainable and predictable,” and he wants to emphasize that support and sanctions continue to be voted through by member states.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna described Monday’s gathering as a “demonstration of our resolute and lasting support for Ukraine”.

Also, it is a message to Russia that it should not count on our weariness. We will remain there for a very long time.”

Despite being a temporary measure, the US budget deal did not include $6 billion (£4.92 billion) in military aid for Ukraine.

In spite of this, President Joe Biden, who has already approved more than $46 billion (£37 billion) in military aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last year, said Kyiv could “count on” US assistance.

Both Europeans and Americans will grow tired of conflict, the Kremlin says, but Washington will remain directly involved.

On Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he did not believe that the situation reflected waning support, but rather an “incident.”