The European Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense are meeting this Monday April 22 in Luxembourg. They must decide on sanctions against Iran after the attack on Israel and agree on sending new weapons to Ukraine. A meeting therefore closely followed in Tehran and kyiv.
3 mins
On the war in Ukraine, ministers must finalize commitments made by EU leaders last week in Brussels at the European Council. The 27 countries of the Union have promised to provide ammunition but above all anti-aircraft defense systems. The Ukrainian army desperately needs it in the face of Russian missiles, Ukraine is losing ground because of it.
Read alsoUkraine: Chassiv Iar under pressure from the Russian army, the situation is “deteriorating” according to the Ukrainian commander-in-chief
Who can send what and when? This is what ministers are discussing today. Hurry up. The Ukrainian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense will repeat it, they are participating in this meeting remotely.
The thorny question of stocks
But Swedish Defense Minister Tobias Billström is convinced that Europeans are aware that there is no more time to lose: “ Today’s meeting is a very important moment for us, we will debate and discuss the question of how to increase support and aid to Ukraine, this is essential. But above all I want to emphasize the need to see arms deliveries arrive as quickly as possible in Ukraine, to help the country, which is currently also fighting for our freedom and security. »
The question of stocks is one of the most sensitive. For the moment, Germany is the only European country to have announced a new shipment of Patriot systems, while six other European countries hold these batteries requested by Ukraine: Poland, Greece, Spain, Romania and the Netherlands.
Read alsoUnited States: after months of blockage, the House of Representatives votes for aid for Ukraine
New sanctions against Iran
The crisis in the Middle East is also at the heart of discussions among the heads of European diplomacy. New sanctions are in preparation since the Europeans want to hit the Tehran regime harder by targeting drone and missile producers in particular.
“ In recent weeks, I have done everything to ensure that we would expand sanctions against Iran and its allies, particularly sanctions against the regime in relation to the threat of missile and drone attacks and its proxies. , explains Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister. We must use all the sanction options we have. »
Some European countries like Belgium are pushing for the EU to designate the Revolutionary Guards, a powerful elite unit of the Iranian army, as a terrorist organization but this is blocking the legal plan. Until now, Iran has always managed to circumvent European sanctions.
Read alsoIran: against Tehran, sanctions of uncertain effectiveness