2023-10-02 21:06:27
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attend a joint news conference in Kiev, Ukraine, October 2, 2023. VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS
By going to kyiv on Monday October 2, European foreign ministers or their representatives had a clear message to convey: Ukraine can count on Europe, today and tomorrow. A reiterated and welcome commitment the day after the election of a pro-Russian candidate in Slovakia on Saturday and the removal of a package of American financial aid to Ukraine by Congress on the same day.
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Despite the absence of several ministers, including that of the Hungarian head of diplomacy, seen as a sign of persistent tension with Kiev, this message of solidarity was particularly well received by their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba: “It is a historic event because for the first time, [l’Union européenne] meets outside (…) its borders, but within the future borders of the EU”, he welcomed, in reference to a possible entry of his country into the Union. This question, whose outcome is still uncertain, will be debated at the end of the week in Granada, during an informal European council, during which the integration of new member states, including Ukraine, will be discussed.
“Our exceptional meeting in kyiv is in itself a message of support. It was not only a strong symbol, but also a constructive discussion”, assures Luminita Odobescu, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. But, it is generally agreed, these declarations of support are no longer enough: recent events have reminded us of the vulnerability of Western support for Ukraine and its dependence on military aid from the American ally. They also underline a form of weariness which is creeping into the Western camp after more than a year and a half of fighting.
“Western support does not weaken”
“We feel a silent fatigue setting in in Europe”confides a European source in Brussels. In Slovakia, the questions of a part of society regarding the war allowed the populist Robert Fico to win the elections. “There is starting to be a feeling of media overload on support for Ukraine, says a current European diplomat in kyiv. In the United States, the Trump campaign [en lice pour l’élection présidentielle de 2024], which evokes a quick peace once he is in charge, gives ideas to others, including Robert Fico. »
While the Kremlin assured Monday that “weariness of completely absurd support for the kyiv regime will increase in different countries”Catherie Colonna, the head of French diplomacy, was very clear: Vladimir Putin “must not count” on the « lassitude » of the European Union in its support for Ukraine. “Western support does not weakensaid Dmytro Kuleba after the meeting. Those who say this and assure that there are divisions are spreading false information. »
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