Speaking at the Defence Council in Brussels on Monday 1 December, High Representative of the Union Kaja Kallas said that the week ahead would be crucial for peace efforts in Ukraine. At the same time, US special envoy Steve Witkoff held telephone talks with the Ukrainian President and several European leaders, before travelling to Moscow on Tuesday.
“This week could be pivotal for diplomacy”, explained Ms Kallas, adding that the discussions in the United States were difficult but productive.
The Ukrainians are “alone” in the discussions, whereas “if they were with the Europeans, they would definitely be much stronger. But I trust that Ukrainians stand up for themselves”, she stated, adding that she feared that all the pressure would fall on the “victim, i.e. that Ukraine would have to make concessions and accept obligations”.
“We have a unified European position, which clearly states that no decision concerning Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine being involved in the discussion, without Ukraine expressing an opinion on its territorial sovereignty. This unified European position is necessary because it also concerns our European security architecture and NATO’s structure in Europe”, said Germany’s Sebastian Hartmann. Denmark’s Troels Lund Poulsen pointed out that continued military support for Ukraine and security guarantees were linked: “A solid security guarantee is precisely what can also help to force the Russians into a lasting peace, or at least a ceasefire”.
The peace talks are proving difficult, with several Ministers highlighting the lack of will on the part of Russia, which continues to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on a daily basis.
“It is clear that Russia does not want peace, and therefore we need to make Ukraine as strong as possible, so that it is ready to defend itself in this very, very difficult period”, said Ms Kallas. In her view, “the stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger it is in the negotiations”. “If Russia knows that Ukraine can count on solid support, now and in the future, it will be more inclined to make compromises”, said the Dutch Minister, Ruben Brekelmans.
Continued military support. The Council therefore emphasised the need to supply the equipment that Kyiv needs.
“We must do everything we can to enable Ukraine to further develop its air defence and to guarantee the availability of munitions”, stressed Sebastian Hartmann. On his arrival, Ruben Brekelmans announced new support of €250 million for the PURL (‘Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List’) initiative. “This is mainly because it is the only way of quickly obtaining additional air defence munitions, as well as ammunition for the F-16s, which Ukraine urgently needs. And all sorts of other equipment from American stocks”, explained the Minister.
The Council also discussed defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine. “We discussed ways of mobilising additional private funding, in particular through the European Investment Bank. Europe and Ukraine must build, produce and innovate together”, stressed Ms Kallas.
On the fringes of the Council, the Netherlands and Ukraine signed an agreement for the joint production of Ukrainian drones, with production lines to be set up in both countries.
Financing support for Ukraine. The Ministers also called for progress in funding support for Ukraine. “Solid funding for Ukraine is essential. In October, EU leaders agreed to fund Ukraine for the next two years. Ministers today insisted that we need to agree on funding options as a matter of urgency. Multiannual funding would be a game-changer for Ukraine’s defence”, said Mrs Kallas.
The day before, Belgium had reaffirmed its opposition to repair loans. According to the High Representative, these loans would “undoubtedly” strengthen Europe’s position vis-à-vis Moscow. “We need to make progress on this issue. It is clear that Russia owes reparations for the damage caused to Ukraine, and a reparations loan based on frozen Russian sovereign assets is an appropriate basis”, she explained, while making it clear that she did not wish to play down Belgian risks and concerns.
According to Ms Kallas, an agreement on these loans would send “a triple message: a very strong message to Ukraine that we are there to help it defend itself; a second message to Moscow that it cannot outlast us; and a third message to Washington that we are taking very firm and credible action”. Ms Kallas also pointed out that there was no unanimity either on the issue of Eurobonds or on raising capital jointly.
Troels Lund Poulsen emphasised “the need to find a model for releasing these €140 billion or so, which are an important part of Ukraine’s security guarantee in the years to come, as they will enable it to withstand the military pressure it is facing from Russia”.
According to the Swedish Minister, Pål Jonson, the Ukrainians must decide how to use these loans. “This is absolutely crucial. Nobody knows Ukraine’s needs better than the Ukrainians themselves”, he explained, despite the fact that some Member States would like the money to help Ukraine finance European military equipment.
Several Ministers also called for the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and pressure on its ‘shadow fleet’. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)