From a train on its way to the front to encourage the Ukrainian troops fighting against the Army of Vladimir Putinthe president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, has warned the 27 leaders of the European Union that the war launched by Russia a little over a year ago could be prolonged if the EU is late in delivering long-range missiles and modern combat aircraftdoes not approve new sanctions against Moscow and does not throw the accession negotiations from their country to the community club.
The conversation, the eighth by videoconference that he has held in a European Council with the heads of State and Government of the EU since Putin gave the order to invade his country on February 24, 2022, has lasted about 10 minutes, according to reports. explained European sources aware of the intervention. Zelenski has taken advantage of this time to thank the agreement closed on Monday by the foreign ministers to supply a million 155mm shells – and missiles if kyiv requests it – in the next 12 months and has warned that “every hour counts” and that any delay could take its toll on them and further prolong the war.
Specifically, according to the same sources, Zelenski has aimed at “five” possible reasons for which the war could be prolonged. First of all, a delay in the delivery of long-range missiles. Ukraine’s situation could also be complicated by not receiving modern combat aircraft, beyond the Soviet-made ‘migs’ promised by Poland and Slovakia, and not approving new sanctions packages against the Kremlin or weakening those already adopted because it would send a “wrong signal to the world”. Zelensky has also warned against the negative impact that any peace proposal that does not “restore” the sovereignty and territorial integrity of his country would have and that the Twenty-seven do not launch Ukraine’s accession negotiations as soon as possible because Kiev “is making the required reforms”. although he is still at war.
During the speech, however, he did not even mention the recent visit of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to Moscow, which in Brussels they look at with a magnifying glass, nor the peace plan promoted by Beijing. Although Zelensky has not received a direct reply from the European leaders, the Twenty-seven have adopted new conclusions on Ukraine in which they close ranks with their “peace formula” and guarantee that they will continue to give energetic support at the “political, economic, military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its population for as long as necessary”, states the text that takes note of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Vladimir Putin.
More pressure against Moscow
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The Twenty-seven also make it clear that they will continue to increase the collective pressure against Russia, not only to continue limiting the price of oil, but with new “additional restrictive measures” if necessary. Something that in the opinion of some delegations is necessary. “We already have 10 (sanctions packages) and after each one you feel a certain fatigue and the debate slows down,” admitted the Lithuanian president, Gitan Nausedabut “yes, we will have the eleventh package of sanctions and Lithuania will do everything possible so that Rosatom and the members of its board of directors are sanctioned”, the Lithuanian politician explained this Thursday, who has recognized that it continues to be difficult due to the resistance of Hungary .
The conclusions also insist on the importance of closing gaps, not weakening the current sanctions framework and ensuring its effective application both at the European and national levels so that Moscow does not circumvent the restrictions through third countries. “We cannot weaken the sanctions because if we do so we are following Russia’s narrative (…) Although trade relations with Russia have been reduced, we have trade relations with third countries and there is the question of whether Russia is using transit to its advantage” , has added the estonia Kaja Kalla. “The European Union will intensify its work with partners to counter false Russian narratives and disinformation about the war,” the conclusions say.