Ukraine and the latest developments in Russia, at the center of the EU leaders' meeting

2023-06-29 21:12:43, Kosova & Bota CNA

Ukraine and the latest developments in Russia, at the center of the EU

European Union leaders gathered on Thursday in a high-level meeting to discuss the importance of protecting the eastern flank from Russian aggression, as well as strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. The head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, will be in the center of attention at this meeting.

President Zelensky will address European leaders through a teleconference. Although it is not officially on the agenda, a large discussion space is expected to take the rebellion of the Wagner group, during the weekend in Russia as well as the impact it may have on the government of President Vladimir Putin.

"The rebellion we saw over the weekend shows that there are cracks and divisions within the Russian system. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that these are internal Russian issues" , said Mr. Stoltenberg after arriving at the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels.

EU leaders agree with this assessment. "This showed deep cracks in Putin's system. This uprising last weekend will be followed by other actions," said the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania, one of several EU countries bordering Russia, insisted that the weekend uprising is another reason to take a tough stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Some colleagues sometimes say that a strong Putin is less dangerous than a weak Putin. I don't agree with that. We must move forward and be decisive, because now is a decisive moment in history," he said.

Krisjanis Karins, the Prime Minister of Latvia, another country bordering Russia, said "we cannot control what is happening inside Russia, but we can control what we do from outside".

Officials from several EU member states and institutions said the chaos and instability created by the rebellion would not only force the EU to redouble its support for Ukraine with commitments for more ammunition, but also ensure that the fighting and violence does not spread in the member countries of the bloc.

"There is no room for hesitation," said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. "We must continue to raise the cost of Russian aggression."

Some EU leaders said the effects of the rebellion had reached the Kremlin.

"However, they (the uprisings) will certainly have a long-term impact on Russia," German Chancellor Olof Scholz told the ARD channel. "I believe (Russian President Vladimir Putin) has weakened."

Chancellor Scholz said what many EU leaders hoped would happen. They are now seeing the growing impact of the 11 rounds of sanctions the EU has imposed on Russia, in cooperation with the United States.

Although the EU may not offer any military guarantees, there is a prevailing mood that its leaders will toughen the language in the final statement of their meeting. In the latest draft, obtained by the Associated Press news agency, the leaders say they are "ready to contribute, together with partners, to future security commitments to Ukraine that will help Ukraine defend itself in the long term, curb acts of aggression and resist attempts at destabilization.”

Most EU countries are also NATO members, and at the alliance's July 11-12 meeting they will consider offering more security guarantees to Ukraine, although they are not expected to offer it full membership. full in NATO.

EU countries have also offered billions of euros in aid to boost Ukraine's military reserves and shore up the country's battered economy. EU leaders will also consider the possibility of using Russia's frozen assets, amounting to around 200 billion euros, to help Kiev./ VOA