Can the EU provide security guarantees to Ukraine? And if so, in what way?
The issue is heated when the heads of state and government of the EU countries gather for the summer summit in Brussels.
Russia’s war in Ukraine is once again a given main topic at this week’s summit. Joining for a working lunch in Brussels is NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. And during the afternoon, a connected appearance awaits once again from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in Kiev.
According to the plan, the EU countries must, among other things, declare themselves “ready to contribute, together with their partners, to future security commitments for Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself in the long term”.
But exactly what that means is unclear.
– I don’t think anyone can really say that yet, admits Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) on his way into the meeting.
Different promises
– Ukraine is very keen that both the EU stand by the merit-based process into the EU, but also of course the discussion that has to do with NATO, which we are not discussing here but which is about Ukraine’s long-term defense, says the prime minister.
If and when Ukraine becomes a member of the EU, the Union’s own pledges of support can be found in Article 42:7 of the Treaty of Lisbon. But even stronger promises are given in turn by Article 5 of NATO, of which Ukraine also wants to become a member.
– The best security guarantee for Ukraine is a full NATO membership as soon as the war ends, emphasizes, for example, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins on the way to the EU summit.
The Wagner group
In Brussels, the leaders and their guests are also understood to be brooding over developments in Russia and last weekend’s quickly quashed rebellion by private army leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group.
– The mutiny we saw this weekend proves that there are cracks and divisions within the Russian system. But it is an internal Russian matter and it is still too early to draw any conclusions. What is important for NATO is that we will continue to support Ukraine, says NATO chief Stoltenberg on his way into the meeting.
FACT EU summit
The EU’s heads of state and government sit together on Thursday and Friday for the customary two-day meeting. Here is the meeting agenda:
Thursday:
* working lunch at 1 pm with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
* customary speech from the Speaker of the EU Parliament, Roberta Metsola
* discussions on Ukraine and Russia, with digital input from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
* working dinner with discussions on migration and external relations
Friday:
* strategic discussion on China
* talks about the economic situation, the internal market and competitiveness
* The EU’s strategic agenda
The meeting will end on Friday afternoon with a press conference with Commission Chair Ursula von der Leyen, Council Chair Charles Michel and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
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