Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Mitro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, participated in the recent meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union countries, which was hosted by the current Spanish presidency of the Union. A statement was issued in Brussels on Thursday evening, including the statements of Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell after the meeting. He explained that the minister reviewed the latest developments on the ground, and the state of the counter-attack. “The Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Oleksey Reznikov] did that Wednesday during a meeting of defense ministers, but Thursday Minister Kuleba dealt with the constant bombing [by Russia] of civilian targets, particularly schools. We have learned of developments on the ground, as well as of the diplomatic efforts to The search for a better understanding of the causes and consequences of the war can lead to meetings to try to find peace, but a just peace, a peace that can prevent Ukraine from losing its territorial integrity or sovereignty.
Borrell added, “On the first day we talked about the military aspects. And on the second day of the meetings we went to the non-military aspects, which are primarily financial. Because we need to support Ukraine in a predictable and sustainable way. Not only next month or next week, but also with the lenses Long-term to show the aggressor that we stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow and always. During the war and after the war.
The main elements of this support are financial support for military supplies through the European Peace Facility and training of Ukrainian soldiers through the European Union Military Assistance Training Mission (EUMAM) in Ukraine.
First, you know that the High Representative has the power - in accordance with the treaties - to submit proposals to the Council. In the end, the council will decide - and, as always, in the end, the council will decide.
I have put forward a proposal to find a sustainable, long-term way to support Ukraine, with a proposed ceiling of €20 billion — €5 billion annually — in the next four years.
The ministers discussed this matter. I think the feedback I've received from them on this proposal has been positive. In any case, they have shown strong determination to continue supporting Ukraine with military aid, for as long as necessary. The discussion will continue in the Council. I hope we will reach an agreement by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, I have to feel sorry that the eighth batch of the European Peace Facility is still blocked. I hope we can unblock him in the coming weeks. But this is a problem still waiting to be resolved.
Regarding the training mission (EUMAM in Ukraine), I proposed a new goal of training 40,000 soldiers in the coming months. The Ministers supported this proposal. And by the way, many of these soldiers were trained here, in Toledo, at our [Spanish] military academy.
Then we discussed the formula for peace. The peace formula presented by President [Ukraine Volodymyr] Zelensky is the only one that has gained traction, the only one that is being discussed in international forums.
And there were many others - from China, from Brazil, from South Africa, from the African Union. All of them have been dropped. None of them were leading the discussions. The only formula is the ten-point peace formula presented by President Zelensky and discussed in Stockholm and Saudi Arabia.
We discussed this peace formula and how we can continue to support it and make it the focus of international discussions on how to build a just peace in Ukraine.
We also discussed the grain deal [Black Sea Grains Initiative]. I believe that the ministers agree on the perception that Putin, with his aggressiveness, is harming not only Ukraine, but also countries thousands of kilometers away from it. And for the first time, we see these countries blaming Russia for the consequences of its deliberate weaponization of food, when it suspended [their participation in] the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Yes, it has a negative effect. Even countries that support or do not blame Russia suffer the consequences. The meeting between Russia and African leaders [the second Russia-Africa summit] was a complete diplomatic failure, and I think Russia is losing its position in the international community.
We must continue to ramp up our outreach in support of Ukraine, during the week in New York [the UN General Assembly High Level Week], the G-20 summit, and continue to fight Russian disinformation around the world.
Then we touched on the situation in Niger. Here, too, we had an important guest. And thanks to the Spanish Presidency for inviting the ECOWAS Commission Chair [Omar Touray], the ECOWAS Commissioner for Peace and Security [Abdelfatou Moussa], and also the Foreign Minister of Niger [Hassoumi Massoudou]. When I say Niger, I am saying the legitimate government of President [Mohamed] Bazoum.
And it was a great idea to invite these African leaders because their testimony and explanation was very interesting, well expressed, and quite clear. Clear.
We have heard their views on the situation in Niger and the Sahel region, as well as the responses and intentions of ECOWAS regarding the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
We did not talk about Gabon because Gabon is not a member of the Economic Community of West African States.
The Ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of the military coup in Niger, and called for the release of President Bazoum and his family, and a return to constitutional order.
This concerns France in particular. We expressed our solidarity with France, especially with regard to the situation of its ambassador, who was in a difficult situation in Niamey.