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In Brussels, February 20, the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states met in the Council of the EU on the eve of the anniversary of the full-scale invasion Russia to Ukraine. One of the key issues on the agenda was the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba was supposed to join the European colleagues, but due to the unexpected visit of US President Joseph Biden to Kiev, the meeting was canceled . What the foreign ministers said about Ukraine on the eve of the meeting – reports Channel 24 correspondent from Brussels.
The tenth package of sanctions
The central topic of the meeting will be the discussion of the tenth package of sanctions against Russia. As we reported, the EU plans to announce new restrictions on the eve of February 24.
EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that at the meeting, ministers will continue to discuss a new package of sanctions. However, the final version will not be presented today.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated that this year he showed that the event can be united and have a common response in the form of sanctions and political isolation. According to him, the sanctions have a slow but long-term result. He noted that the development of a new sanctions package confirms that this is an active mechanism. Landsbergis believes that proposals to introduce restrictions against Rosatom should already be the subject of public debate.
Note that the tenth package will not contain sanctions against Rosatom. During the year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the EU restrictions on the nuclear sector of the aggressor country have not been implemented. However, European partners will add restrictions against Iran for military assistance to Russia.
Providing ammunition as soon as possible
While Ukrainian officials are negotiating the transfer of fighters, European partners believe that now the main task is to provide Ukraine with ammunition. According to EU High Representative Josep Borrell, he will discuss this topic tomorrow with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the Alliance's headquarters.
Today for Ukraine It is very important to have sufficient supplies of 155 and 152 ammunition, but 155 is the most important. Russian artillery fires 15,000 rounds a day and Ukraine should be at the same level of capability,” Borrell said.
Josep Borrell/Photo by Sofia Nazarenko
In the end, he expects a decision to be made by EU defense ministers in the coming weeks.
When asked by journalists whether cluster munitions would be delivered to Ukraine, Borrell did not answer. He said that he could not go into details, but the main thing was to provide Ukrainian soldiers with 155-mm shells as soon as possible
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis supported this initiative and said that the European Union supports Ukraine and is obliged to provide what Ukraine needs right now to win. According to him, discussions on the provision of F-16 fighter jets could take a very long time.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister/Photo by Sofia Nazarenko
Despite the absence from the meeting Council of Ministers in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that he is grateful to Estonia for the proposal on joint direct purchases of arms and ammunition.
European formula for peace
European ministers do not have answers and forecasts when the war in Ukraine will end, but they have a clear position regarding sovereignty and state borders.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said that the war will end when Vladimir Putin orders Russian soldiers to return to the borders of Russia, which they were not supposed to leave.
“If it concerns the government of Spain, then we do not see any possibility to agree on peace now, but it should be peace within the framework of the Charter of the United Nation, respecting the sovereignty and territorial value of Ukraine,” said Manuel Albarez.
Head The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Gabrielius Landsbergis stressed that Europe must be with Ukraine to the end and send weapons so that it can return its territories.
“We must pledge that negotiations will not take place with those who are awaiting a special tribunal, which we hope to create for war criminals,” he said.
Arms supply from China to Russia
Against the backdrop of rumors about the possible supply of military weapons from China to Russia, the foreign ministers expressed concern.
In particular, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Gaavisto said that there are concerns that Russia will find new resources for the supply weapons and ammunition. He hopes that China will not support the aggressor country in this war.
Finnish Foreign Minister/Photo by Sofia Nazarenko
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis does not exclude the possibility of supplying weapons from China to Russia due to the lack of “agreed borders” between the two countries.
EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell is also concerned about information about a possible provision of weapons to Russia from side of China. According to him, this will be a red line in their relationship.
UN Peace Resolution
Before the Ministerial Council meeting, EU High Representative Josep Borrell announced visiting the US this week. He assured that this week the world must respond to the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Borrell will visit New York, where he will take part in the debate of the Security Council on a resolution against Russia. The vote will take place on the anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The UN once again calls on Moscow to withdraw its troops and cease hostilities.
Note that the war in Ukraine is not the only issue on the agenda of the EU Council. The ministers also discuss security in Moldova, the situation with repressions in Iran, Afghanistan, climate and energy diplomacy.
