Almost all of Europe is meeting for a large solidarity summit for Russia’s neighboring countries. The signal to Moscow is clear. But there are no new promises for Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia.
At the European summit in Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for rapid eastward expansion of the EU and NATO to protect against Russian aggression.
“We need peace. That’s why every European country that borders Russia and doesn’t want Russia to tear it apart should be a full member of the EU and NATO,” he said. At the same time, Zelenskyi urged the allies to have modern fighter jets and Patriot anti-missile missiles in order to be able to withstand the Russian attackers.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) left open whether Ukraine could join NATO immediately after the end of the war. He did not rule out the delivery of additional air defense systems to Ukraine.
Peaks on the edge of the war zone
Almost 50 heads of state and government attended the second meeting of the European Political Community (EPG) at Mimi Castle, a winery just 20 kilometers from the Ukrainian war zone. Almost all European countries between Ukraine and Portugal were represented, but two were not: Russia and Belarus. The signal went out to them: We stand together – and you are isolated.
The EPG was founded last year on the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron to bring the European Union and the other European countries together. The first summit took place in Prague, Czech Republic.
Little Moldova, a former Soviet republic in the east of the continent, was deliberately chosen as the venue to emphasize the European perspective of the countries in Russia’s neighbourhood. Like Ukraine, Moldova has been an EU candidate for a year. Georgia is also striving for this status. And Ukraine and Georgia want to join NATO with all their might in order to save themselves from Russia in the long term.
Zelenskyy: “Remember the disappointment of our soldiers”
Selenskyj warned the EU and NATO states against delaying tactics. “Think of the disappointment of our soldiers fighting for freedom, as well as the disappointment of those nations for whom our struggle in Ukraine is hope,” he said. If even those who defended Europe’s values with blood did not get a clear positive answer to the desire to join NATO and the EU, there could be hope for others that was almost inconceivable.
Zelenskyy would like his country to be formally invited to join NATO at the Lithuanian summit in July. However, the chances are slim. Powerful NATO countries such as the USA and Germany are already making it clear that for the time being they do not want to make any commitments that go substantially beyond a vague NATO declaration from 2008. In it, the then heads of state and government agreed that Ukraine and Georgia should join NATO, but without naming a specific timetable.
At the summit in Moldova, Scholz referred to the Bucharest formula, but also made it clear that there should be no border conflicts for NATO membership.
Patriot Coalition Against Russian Extortion
As far as further military support is concerned, Zelenskyj called for two main components. “A patriot coalition that puts an end to Russian ballistic missile extortion and a coalition of modern warplanes that proves that terror stands no chance against our citizens.”
Ukraine has already received Patriot air defense systems from its allies – including one from Germany. So far, however, the German government has not participated in a coalition forged at the G7 summit to support Ukraine with American-made F-16 fighter jets.
Fighter jet training “as soon as possible”
However, several other European countries, including the Netherlands, Great Britain and Belgium, have announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the summit that training would start “as soon as possible”.
Scholz repeatedly emphasizes that he sees the German task more in the delivery of air defense systems such as the Gepard anti-aircraft tank, Iris-T or Patriot. This contribution is important right now, “when there are so many rocket, plane and cruise missile attacks by the Russian Federation,” he said, referring to the recent airstrikes on Kiev. He did not rule out that other systems could also be made available from those already delivered.
Most recently, the Bundeswehr still had twelve Patriot systems, one of which was left to the Ukraine. There are currently three in Poland and two in Slovakia, from where they are to be withdrawn to protect the NATO summit in July in Lithuania. Six other German Patriot systems are in use for modernization in industry or in German training companies.
Russia angry: West harass Moldova
Russia expressed anger at the Moldova summit. “Ukraine has become a bridgehead in the war against Russia (…),” Russia’s intelligence chief Alexander Bortnikov said, according to the state news agency TASS. Then he added: “The West is actively pushing Moldova to take part in the Ukrainian conflict.”
Moldova, led by its pro-European President Maia Sandu, has clearly sided with its beleaguered neighbor Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war 15 months ago. Sandu has recently repeatedly complained about interference and planned coup attempts by Russian secret services in her country. At the summit she appealed to the other participants: “Please believe in our democracy and our future in the EU.” This is a contribution to stability and security on the European continent.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
