European defense leaders renew their open support for Ukraine amid growing threats
Senior European officials stressed in a meeting held today, Friday, in Berlin, the continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian forces, stressing that the long war and hybrid threats against Europe require permanent preparedness and greater military solidarity among the major European powers.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius opened the meeting by stressing the continuity of support, according to what was reported by the European magazine Politico.
He said: "Germany Ready to continue to lead support to Ukraine,” he said, noting continued multi-year funding for US Patriot air defense systems. Within the PURL mechanism that coordinates the delivery of American weapons and technologies to Ukraine through members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Germany has already financed an air defense package worth 500 million euros and will contribute no less than 150 million euros to the new package that was agreed upon this week. The minister also pointed to joint efforts with Britain in the field of military procurement that will be announced at the next meeting in Warsaw.
For its part, France stressed the need to intensify pressure. Military and economic pressure on Moscow, and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin said: “We will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary,” referring to Paris’s preparations for security guarantees for Kiev within the “coalition of the willing.” The French-British government also called for a tougher imposition of Russian economic sanctions to confront its shadow fleet, which finances a large part of its war efforts.
As for Italy, it announced the provision of 800 million euros in civilian aid, including electricity generators to confront the winter energy shortage, in addition to additional military packages, confirming its continued commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Poland, through Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Zalewski, linked Europe’s security directly to Ukraine’s flexibility, confirming the provision of military support. Financial and political issues for Kiev, and Warsaw plans to invest more than 40 billion euros in joint defense industrial projects with Ukraine inside Poland to enhance Ukraine’s long-term defense capability.
European Union foreign policy official Kaya Kallas warned of the escalation of daily hybrid attacks, including sabotage, cyber attacks and drones, calling on European capitals not to consider these attacks as the “new normal,” stressing the need to strengthen air defense capabilities and provide Ukraine with ammunition.
The meeting showed a consensus that the war will be long, and that Europe is preparing for it seriously, as Pistorius concluded: “Our measures are bearing fruit, and we must not retreat from our support.”
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