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France rules out changes for now in its position: “There is nothing new under the sun”
BRUSELAS, 18 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
This Monday, the European Union appreciated the step taken by the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to authorize Ukraine to use long-range American weapons against Russia, although this step by Washington now shifts the focus to France and Germany, member states that They supply this type of weapons to Ukraine.
In statements prior to the meeting of foreign ministers of the 27, the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, stressed that Ukraine must be able to use military systems “not only to stop the arrows but to hit the archer.” “I hope that the Member States agree on this and if not, that each one does what they have to do according to the need to support Ukraine,” he indicated.
In any case, regarding the specific case of supporting Ukraine, after Washington’s move, Borrell has indicated that “there is no difference between yesterday and today” and the Europeans have to continue providing the weapons that kyiv needs to repel Russian aggression. , ensuring that the EU has to act and not just react to US decisions.
This Sunday, Biden authorized Ukraine to carry out limited attacks within Russian territory in response to the presence of thousands of North Korean soldiers on the front to reinforce the Russian offensive, according to several US media outlets.
FOCUS ON FRANCE AND GERMANY
In statements upon his arrival at the meeting in Brussels, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, indicated that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has already said that it is an option “to consider”, pointing out that “there is nothing new under the sun”, regarding Paris being able to take the step once Washington will withdraw restrictions on the use of weapons. France sent its long-range SCALP missiles to Ukraine months ago, although it does not allow their use to attack Russian territory.
His German colleague, Annalena Baerbock, has considered Biden’s decision “important” at this time of the war, when Russia advances in the Donbas region and support for kyiv may begin to falter with the return of Donald Trump to the White House. .
Regarding Germany’s shipment of long-range Taurus missiles, Baerbock insisted that within his party, The Greens, he is clear that “this is about the protection of peace and freedom in Europe.” “We have always intensively tested each decision and we have made it clear time and again that we act together in a European way,” he indicated, ensuring that the EU should not be intimidated by Russia’s threats. “Putin is deliberately playing with our fear in Europe,” he warned.
This message comes at a time when the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has resumed contacts with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to explore a way out of the war in Ukraine, and which according to the German minister, has served to show that Putin “wants to continue destroying Ukraine and European peace.”
In the opinion of the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielus Landsbergis, the option of de-escalating the war and appeasing Russia “is a failed strategy.” “The strategy has to start from strengthening support for Ukraine; I mean more weapons, removing all restrictions and having a victory strategy,” he stated.
“From there we can reach a point where phone calls make sense. Right now they don’t, we are still in de-escalation mode,” stressed the Baltic minister, who in any case has asked for caution to see the level of permission granted by the United States and the number of long missiles that Ukraine has.
Along the same lines, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, has denounced that no phone call strengthens the EU’s position in the crisis in Ukraine. “Putin has no plans to change his objectives, so we have to be clear in our support for Ukraine,” he indicated, calling for unity and coordination, ensuring that Scholz’s step was not consulted with European allies.
“If it is true that the United States has lifted the restrictions, it is good news, from the beginning we have said that there should be no restrictions on military support,” said the Estonian minister.
For the Dutch Foreign Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, the Russian president only obeys the facts on the ground, which is why he considered it “important news” that the United States lifts limitations on the use of long-range systems and Ukraine can attack aggressor’s territory.