EU disappoints Ukraine by failing to agree on air defence deliveries | EUROtoday

Issued on: 22/04/2024 – 18:37

2 min

“We can prevent the worst-case scenarios if we act together and without fear. We need concrete and bold decisions today,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba instructed his EU counterparts through videolink.

“Now that you are all here at the table, it’s time to act, not to debate.”

Ukraine has requested for seven extra US-made Patriot air defence methods able to capturing down Russia’s hypersonic missiles – however is eager to get any assist it could.

So far solely Germany has answered Kyiv’s name by saying it might ship an additional Patriot system to Ukraine.

Several EU nations possess the methods, together with Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned Friday that he anticipated extra NATO international locations to make bulletins on extra air defence gear for Kyiv “soon”.

But after the EU assembly, ministers mentioned there have been nonetheless no clear new commitments.

EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned nonetheless there was a “common and clear understanding” among the many member states on the urgency of the state of affairs.

“It’s up to them to take the decisions,” he mentioned.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mentioned after the assembly he wished the EU “could proceed more quickly”.

He mentioned Poland, as a front-line state neighbouring each Russia and Ukraine, couldn’t spare both of the 2 Patriot methods it had.

“The ones in western Europe, we feel could be more usefully deployed in Ukraine,” he mentioned.

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren mentioned: “We are exploring every avenue.”

‘Dodged a bullet’

Ukraine’s renewed enchantment for assist got here after US lawmakers eased strain on Europe by unblocking a significant assist package deal.

The US House of Representatives on Saturday cheered Ukraine and its allies by approving a $61 billion package deal for Kyiv after six months of political wrangling.

During the deadlock over the US assist, Europe struggled to give you the weaponry wanted to maintain Kyiv within the struggle as Ukrainian forces have been being pushed again alongside the entrance traces.

Now that the US seems set to ship, European ministers and Kyiv insisted it was not the time for the EU to ease off its assist for Ukraine.

“We in Europe cannot and should not relax,” Kuleba mentioned.

Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze mentioned Europe “has to step up – it’s a crucial time”.

“We dodged a historic bullet but, unfortunately, many more bullets are on the way,” mentioned Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

“We can be joyous for a day, but we have to be prepared for the battles to come tomorrow,” he mentioned.

(AFP)