On Monday 22 April in Luxembourg, Europe’s foreign and defence ministers stressed the importance of stepping up military support for Ukraine, particularly for anti-aircraft systems, and welcomed the vote by the US Congress to release $61 billion in aid.
Recalling that Russia was constantly attacking Ukraine with drones, missiles and guided bombs - 7,000 guided bombs in 4 months - including its electricity infrastructure, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, warned once again that Ukraine was running out of weapons. “There is clearly an urgent need for the EU to act”, by providing anti-aircraft defence and ammunition, interceptors, he stressed at the end of the Council meeting, adding that ammunition for ‘conventional’ combat also needed to be provided.
Mr Borrell said he was “glad” that some Member States had indicated their “willingness to make a concrete contribution to air defence, interceptors, or to support the Czech and German initiatives”.
In front of the media, several ministers gave their support to the Czech initiative to send ammunition - the first delivery should take place at the end of May/beginning of June, according to Mr Borrell - and to the German initiative for ‘immediate action for air defence’ (IAAD).
Although, in his speech to the ministers, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Dmytro Kuleba, called on the Europeans not to debate, but to “act” by taking “concrete and bold decisions to supply Ukraine with additional Patriot and SAMP/T systems, missiles, artillery and ammunition as well as other weapons and equipment as soon as possible”, no concrete announcement was made by the ministers, either publicly or in a meeting, according to a European source. Announcements could be made at a further meeting in Ramstein format, scheduled for the weekend.
Publicly, the ministers only expressed their willingness to provide support. “We have to move forward, this is a crucial moment”, stressed the Latvian minister for foreign affairs, Baiba Braze.
Her German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, called on the Europeans to review their stockpiles and see how Ukrainian air defence support could be extended. “Every additional air defence system saves lives in Ukraine. That’s why it’s so important that we pool all our resources in this area in particular”, she pleaded. “Every contribution, every system, every component, including financial support, is welcome”, added German Secretary of State Siemtje Möller.
“We are doing a lot. (...) We can speed up deliveries (...) because the Ukrainians need them today, not tomorrow”, stressed the Dutch defence minister, Kajsa Ollongren, while the Czech head of diplomacy, Jan Lipavský, called for Ukrainian skies to be made safe. “We can do more and we need to look for practical solutions”, he added.
“At this time, which is absolutely crucial for Ukraine, it is necessary to increase our support for everything to do with anti-aircraft defence”, added the Spanish minister, José Manuel Albares, who nevertheless remained evasive about additional support for Ukraine. “We are very aware of Ukraine’s need for anti-aircraft defences, particularly Patriots. Spain will take decisions whenever it is in a position to support Ukraine”, he assured.
When asked about sending Patriots, the Swedish defence minister, Pål Jonson, did not rule out this possibility, while specifying that his country was concentrating on a financial contribution and on the possibility of sending RBS 70s, portable surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile systems. “It could take some pressure off the Patriot systems”, he said.
“It’s not just a question of Patriots (...) If it’s a question of air defence systems, Latvia will also make its contribution by sending air defence equipment. We have short-range air defence systems”, said the Latvian defence minister, Andris Sprūds, who also called for the strengthening of the European defence industry, which is “also the basis for supporting Ukraine”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Bernard Denuit)