According to Reuters, after many disagreements on legal issues, European Union (EU) member countries are getting closer to using part of the profits arising from frozen Russian assets to provide military aid to Ukraine.
The information was released after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on March 15 in Berlin.
“We will use the profits from frozen Russian assets in Europe to finance arms purchases for Ukraine,” German Chancellor Scholz said, referring to the European Union’s efforts to increase support for Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center) poses for a photo with French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after their talks on March 15 in Berlin. (Photo: AP)
At a joint press conference after the talks, all three EU leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, pledging to increase military aid to help Kiev overcome its current ammunition shortage.
According to German Chancellor Scholz, EU leaders agreed on the need to buy more weapons for Ukraine through other distributors and put the bloc's defense industry on a war footing. There is also a need to expand arms production lines in Ukraine.
European support for Ukraine has become increasingly important as US President Joe Biden has failed to secure congressional support for additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Earlier in February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on the EU to consider using the profits to "purchase military equipment for Ukraine".
The EC is expected to make concrete proposals on the issue in the coming days.
Some EU member states such as Hungary have expressed reservations about the idea, according to diplomats in Brussels. But Mr Scholz’s statement suggests the German leader is confident that EU countries will eventually accept the proposal.
Chancellor Scholz said EU leaders also agreed on the need to set up a US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group of about 50 countries providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Defense ministers from the Ukrainian defense contact group are expected to meet early next week at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss the possibility of additional aid to Kiev.
Also at the talks in Berlin, French President Macron once again reiterated his warning that not only Ukraine but also European security is under threat.
“We will do everything necessary for as long as necessary to prevent Russia from winning this war. This determination is steadfast and demonstrates our solidarity,” the French president said.
Mr Macron added that the three leaders of Germany, France and Poland agreed on the need to increase defence support for Moldova, which says Russia is trying to destabilise it through a “proxy war”. However, the three leaders agreed not to escalate tensions with Russia.
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