On Thursday 31 August in Toledo, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, highlighted the “diplomatic counter-offensive” being conducted by Ukraine and the EU, just a few days before the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“The diplomatic counter-offensive that we are conducting is due to the energy, will and understanding among EU Ministers of what needs to be done and how it needs to be done”, he stressed to the media, following a discussion with his EU27 counterparts.
Mr Kuleba announced that Ukraine and the EU had agreed to coordinate their approaches and communications with countries in Asia, Africa and South America in order to get them on board with the peace formula proposed by President Zelensky. “We have discussed some very specific measures that we will be taking to achieve this goal”, he explained, without giving any further details.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, confirmed that the Ministers had discussed how to continue to support this formula - the only one being discussed at international level - and make it “central” to achieving a just peace in Ukraine.
For Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, Mr Zelensky’s peace plan will become “step by step, a peace plan for the world”.
Reaching agreement on the tribunal for the crime of aggression
The Ministers also agreed to continue discussions on the creation of a tribunal to judge crimes of aggression, at a time when European countries are still divided on the issue and the aim was to reach an agreement before the session of the United Nations General Assembly, which begins at the end of September. “We must reach agreement on the creation of an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for this crime of aggression. For a year, we’ve been procrastinating, so we’re not making any progress”, lamented Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg. In his view, a decision should be taken at the United Nations General Assembly level, while recognising that the G7 had a different position.
“We must find a legal way of forming a special tribunal for crimes of aggression”, added Estonian Minister Markus Tsahkna, adding that no one should enjoy immunity for crimes of aggression.
Efforts regarding grains
According to Mr Kuleba, the Europeans have also committed to strengthening the ‘Grains from Ukraine’ humanitarian programme. “We had a very successful launch last year. We want to repeat it”, he explained. The transfer of Ukrainian grains could become more complicated as the Black Sea Initiative is suspended. The Ministers also stressed the need for this initiative to be fully re-established and agreed on ways to extend the land corridors. “Ukraine also believes, and I conveyed it to the Member States, that an alternative sea grain corridor that does not involve Russia is possible”, explained Mr Kuleba.
The Italian Minister, Antonio Tajani, felt that it was important to strengthen Turkey’s action in favour of an agreement on grains, while the Croatian Minister, Gordan Grlic Radman, highlighted solidarity lanes. “We need more help to ensure that Ukrainian grain reaches countries facing food insecurity, particularly in Africa”, he explained, adding that his country was offering its ports, including on the Danube, to export grain.
Positive reactions to the 20 billion fund
Over and above the purely diplomatic aspect, like their Defence counterparts the day before (see EUROPE 13239/1), the Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed Mr Borrell’s proposal for a €20 billion package for Ukraine as part of the ‘European Peace Facility’. “The reactions have been positive and, in any case, the determination to support Ukraine for military assistance is strong”, he explained, adding that the discussions would continue. They should be carried out in conjunction with the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework.
“We tell everyone that the EU is behind Ukraine, so if it is behind Ukraine, we must provide the means to help it”, Mr Asselborn told EUROPE and Le Monde. For the Austrian Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, it is necessary to look at support for Ukraine in the broadest sense, in conjunction with the additional macroeconomic support proposed by the European Commission. “We still need to discuss whether these 20 billion are really necessary or how they will be invested”, he explained.
Mr Borrell publicly regretted that the 8th tranche of the €500 million European Peace Facility for Ukraine was still blocked - by Hungary - and hoped that it would be released in the coming weeks. Despite several attempts, no agreement has yet been reached between Ukraine and Hungary, with Budapest calling on Kyiv to remove the Hungarian bank OTP from Ukraine’s list of international sponsors of the war.
The Ukrainian Minister also announced a meeting in Kyiv between the Ukrainian and European defence industries to discuss speeding up the production and co-production of the weapons needed “not only for the Ukrainian army to continue its counter-offensive, but also (for) the (European) armies to replenish (their) stocks and become stronger”. He also once again called on Member States to provide more weapons, in particular F-16 aircraft for those who have them.
Criticism is easy, war is difficult
Asked about criticisms that the counter-offensive was too slow, Mr Kuleba suggested that the detractors should come and fight. “To criticise the slowness of the counter-offensive is to spit in the face of the Ukrainian soldier who sacrifices his life every day by moving forward and liberating one kilometre of Ukrainian soil after another. I recommend that all the critics shut up, come to Ukraine and try to free up one centimetre by themselves”, he said.
The Lithuanian Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, agreed, saying that we should “stop complaining about Ukraine’s achievements on the battlefield and commit to what is needed”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Aminata Niang)