European Commissioners witnessed first-hand the threats Ukrainians experience every day
In Kiev, European Commissioners experienced first-hand the threats Ukrainians face every day for almost a year. As the forum was taking place, sirens announced the threat of an attack on Kiev, and Ursula von der Leyen and the EU commissioners were forced to continue talks with Ukrainian leaders in a bomb shelter. Speaking at a press conference in Kiev after the historic summit with EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski stated that his country will continue defending Bahmut for as long as it is able.
At a joint press conference after the end of the EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev, President Volodimir Zelenski stated that no one intends to surrender the fortified eastern city. At the same time, he urged the West to offer his country more weapons.
"If the supply of weapons, i.e. the supply of long-range weapons, is speeded up, we will not only not leave Bahmutul, but we will begin the liberation of Donbas, which has been under occupation since 2014," said President Volodimir Zelenski.
EU leaders expressed their readiness to continue to provide full support to Ukraine on the path to early membership of the European community.
"We have not been intimidated by the Kremlin and we will not be, as Ukraine and the EU are one family. I want to express that we, together with all allies, will support Ukraine as long as it is needed. We spoke about how to continue to support Ukraine and how to increase the political collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine," stated European Council President Charles Michel.
"The 10th sanctions package that will be presented by Brussels on the eve of 24 February, the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, will have an impact of €10 billion. The sanctions will cover a number of dual-use (civilian and military) goods, as well as several components used in the manufacture of drones that Russia uses to bomb Ukraine. Importantly, we must have the political will to make Russia pay for what it has done to Ukraine, and I want to say that Russian society and economy are already paying a heavy price for the sanctions," stressed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
At the same time, Ukraine has committed to consult both national minorities on its territory and the Venice Commission on issues concerning minority rights and law. The pledge is included in the joint declaration adopted at the end of the EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev and was introduced into the document following representations from Romania.
The Kiev summit is the 24th and the first since Ukraine became an EU candidate country.
Meanwhile, Germany has agreed to the shipment of Leopard-1 tanks, which will be sent to Ukraine once they are repaired. At the same time, France and Italy have pledged to deliver Ukraine's new "Mamba" anti-aircraft system, which can strike 16 air targets simultaneously and can intercept ballistic and cruise missiles. Portugal has also pledged an unspecified number of Leopard 2 tanks for Kiev.
