Russo-Ukrainian War
luc, CNBC Indonesia
Monday, 02/10/2023 21:20 IWST
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The European Union signaled its long-term support for Ukraine in a historic meeting of foreign ministers in Kyiv.
The meeting on Monday (2/10/2023) came as disagreements grow among European Union members over support for Ukraine and as Kyiv forces have made only limited gains in a high-stakes counteroffensive against Russian forces.
“We held a historic meeting of EU foreign ministers here in Ukraine, a candidate and aspiring EU member country,” the bloc’s top foreign policy representative, Josep Borrell, said in an online statement, quoted AFP.
The aim of the meeting was to “express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people”, he said, while admitting that the meeting “was not aimed at reaching concrete conclusions and decisions”.
Ukraine’s foreign minister hailed the summit as an important signal of European support for Kyiv.
“For the first time the foreign affairs council will meet outside its current borders – outside the borders of the European Union – but within the territory of the future European Union,” Dmytro Kuleba told reporters alongside Borrell.
The EU’s 27 member states have remained united through 19 months of war in support of Ukraine, imposing 11 sanctions on Russia and pouring billions of euros in arms into Kyiv.
‘Eternal Support’
However, there are now growing fears of a rift within the bloc as concerns also grow over support from its main supporter the United States.
Hungary, Russia’s closest ally in the EU, could now join Slovakia as a potential bloc to turn its back on Ukraine as populist Robert Fico tries to seize power in Bratislava after winning elections this weekend.
There are also tensions between Kyiv and some of its loudest supporters in the EU’s eastern regions – especially Poland – over the influx of Ukrainian grain into their markets.
Top French diplomat Catherine Colonna appeared to address concerns of waning support, saying the meeting was a signal to Moscow of the bloc’s determination to support Ukraine in the long term.
“This is a manifestation of our firm and eternal support for Ukraine, so that they can win,” he told reporters.
“This is also a message to Russia that they should not rely on our exhaustion. We will be there for a long time.”
Watch the video below:
Aftermath Of The Russian Bombing Of Kostyantynivka. 1 Person Injured
(luc/luc)
2023-10-02 14:20:00
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