2023-10-02 13:14:00
The European Union “is approaching a critical juncture” in its support for Ukraine, according to a Lithuanian official
Lithuania’s foreign minister said the European Union faces “a critical juncture” after political changes in the US and Slovakia threatened unilateral EU and NATO support for Ukraine amid of the invasion of Russia.
EU officials from all 27 member states met in Kyiv on Monday to send a “crystal clear message that Europe stands with Ukraine,” said Gabrielius Lansbergis.
On Saturday, U.S. lawmakers decided not to include a $6 billion aid request for Ukraine in a stopgap bill designed to avoid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Kremlin populist party won the country’s parliamentary elections early Sunday. Fico campaigned to stop aid to Ukraine and block kyiv’s candidacy for NATO.
The weekend’s events “have the power to sow doubt” about the bloc’s support for Ukraine, Lansbergis said.
“Many of the messages sent from Brussels, Washington or anywhere else can sow doubt about our seriousness,” added the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.
“And I hope that today’s meeting can fix this, and can send a very clear, crystal clear message that Europe is with Ukraine until this victory,” Lansbergis said.
The foreign ministers of France, Ireland and Romania also reiterated their support for Kyiv.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna warned Russia not to count on the “tiredness” of European Union member states regarding its support for Ukraine.
Her Romanian counterpart, Luminița Odobescu, stated that her country will support Ukraine in grain exports, highlighting the detrimental impact of the invasion on global food security.
And Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said he hoped EU officials would find a “sustainable approach to supporting Ukraine in the long term.”
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