Arms supplies to Ukraine became turning point in history of EU. This is beginning of European defense, - Chairman of European Council Michel
The EU’s unprecedented decision to support Ukraine with arms supplies since the beginning of Russian aggression became a turning point in the history of the EU and a step towards the formation of European defense.
President of the European Council Charles Michel said this today in Brussels during a press conference following the results of the two-day EU summit, Censor.NET reports with reference to Ukrinform.
"Just a few hours after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was the European Union, at the initiative of the EU High Representative, who decided to mobilize military aid for Ukraine, including the supply of lethal equipment. This was a turning point in the history of the European Union. Without a doubt, it was the beginning of the European of defense," said Michel.
He recalled that a year ago, during the meeting in Versailles, EU heads of state and government defined the framework conditions for strengthening the security and defense system at the European level, including the industrial strategy and production capabilities. According to Michel, the current circumstances force the EU to accelerate this work.
In this context, the President of the European Council emphasized the importance of the meeting of European leaders with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which took place yesterday and was an opportunity to emphasize the partnership between the EU and NATO in accordance with the bilateral Declaration on Cooperation. The creation of a task force on the protection of critical infrastructure on the basis of the EU and NATO became one of the manifestations of the fact that both organizations attach a very real meaning to the need to complement each other.
"As far as Ukraine is concerned, we are united and determined, and that is the first message we would like to send, especially in light of the developments that have taken place over the past weekend in Russia, which have demonstrated vulnerability, uncertainty and division. Instead, we we have a united European approach, and we are considering global opportunities for financing and developing Ukraine's military capabilities," said the President of the European Council.
He noted that the discussion about the situation in Ukraine also touched on the possibility of using Russian financial assets frozen in the EU. The EU intends to continue efforts, together with international partners, to find a legal way to mobilize these Russian assets to assist Ukraine and support its future.
The second important issue was the provision of justice and accountability for the actions of the Russian invaders during the war against Ukraine, in which the EU also continues close cooperation with global partners.
"The third point is security guarantees. This is certainly a key issue. From the EU side, we have a very clear message on this: we will remain among the key figures in this discussion. There are only two weeks left until the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, and this is an important event , since not all, but many member countries are simultaneously members of the Alliance," Michel emphasized.
He also informed that the EU leaders paid special attention to the situation in Belarus, as well as to the events that, according to the Belarusian opposition, may unfold in this country in the coming weeks and months.
