gIn order to support Ukraine, European Union foreign ministers traveled to Kiev to attend a historic meeting. European Union Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell said that this is the first time that such a meeting has been held for representatives of all 27 European Union countries outside the European Union.
Since Russia invaded the neighboring country in February 2022, never before has such a large group of high-ranking foreign politicians come to Kiev. This is the second visit by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Ukraine in a few weeks.
As is usual during Russia’s war of aggression, the trip was not announced in advance for security reasons.
As a topic for the EU meeting, Borrell mentioned his proposal to make long-term financing commitments for military aid to Ukraine and to use EU funds to support the delivery of modern combat aircraft and missiles. He wants to mobilize five billion euros annually from 2024 until the end of 2027. The Spaniard said on Sunday that a decision is not expected in Kiev. Such informal ministerial meetings revolve around political discussions.
European support is also important at a time when US aid funding is in limbo due to a budget dispute in Washington.
The meeting is also likely to focus on Ukraine’s prospects for joining the European Union. The country has been an official candidate for membership since June 2022. However, the 27 EU countries must still decide unanimously whether or not to start negotiations. There should be a positive vote if Ukraine meets certain requirements. This includes a stronger fight against corruption.
All developments in the live stream:
11:35 am – Burbock calls for the creation of a “winter protection umbrella” for Ukraine
At the beginning of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Kiev, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reiterated her call for the creation of a „winter protection umbrella” for Ukraine. This includes expanding air defence, supplying electricity generators and enhancing energy supplies in general.
“Last winter we saw how brutally the Russian president is waging this war by deliberately attacking power plants,” the Green Party politician in Kiev said. Vladimir Putin is betting that water supplies will collapse at temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero. “We have to prevent this as much as possible with everything we have.” Germany has already supported Ukraine significantly with air defense systems such as Iris-T and Patriot.
Baerbok also reiterated the EU’s promise to accept Ukraine into the community of states with its current 27 members at a date yet to be determined. Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union, in this society of freedom. It will soon extend from Lisbon to Luhansk.” Ukraine has been a candidate for EU membership since June 2022. However, negotiations on admission can take several years and are conducted with an open mind, so they do not guarantee acceptance.
9:30 AM – Current status
9:22 AM – The institute sees a potential danger to Ukraine from Wagner units
Western military experts see a potential new threat to Ukraine in the revival of Wagner’s private Russian army under the control of the authorities in Moscow. Wagner, as a large, unified formation with military equipment under the control of the Russian National Guard or the Ministry of Defense, could pose a threat to Kiev, according to an analysis published by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This means correcting previous assessments that the army does not pose a threat after the death of its commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash in August.
ISW experts pointed to sources close to Wagner, according to which Prigozhin’s son Pavel could also take command of the units. Accordingly, Pavel Prigozhin must negotiate with the National Guard, which is affiliated with the Presidential Administration and has its own combat technology. However, the Ministry of Defense must provide weapons, ammunition and logistics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received former Wagner official and co-founder of the army, Andrei Troshev, in the Kremlin last week and tasked him with forming volunteer units. Putin also stressed that the units should be used mainly in the war against Ukraine. Under Prigozhin, the army repeatedly invaded areas in the neighboring country, including the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
08:55 AM – The importance of Russian naval aviation seems to be growing
According to British assessments, Russian naval aviation is becoming increasingly important in the war against Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defense said on Monday that Russia is also using naval air power in an attempt to control the northwestern Black Sea in the face of Ukrainian attacks on the Russian navy.
Perhaps the main task will be the early identification of unmanned boats with which Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian ships. For this purpose, naval aviators primarily used Be-12 Chaika (NATO code: Mail) amphibious aircraft. The attacks will be carried out using Sukhoi Su-24 bombers, including a recent attack on the strategically important Snake Island in the western Black Sea.
8:00 AM – The US government assures Ukraine of more military aid
According to Defense Minister Rustam Umarov, the US government has assured Ukraine of more military aid despite the budget dispute in Washington. Amr writes on