FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
BRUSSELS – “The EU has shown strength, it has responded with determination, taking responsibility for the war in Ukraine unleashed by Russia and demonstrating its full support for Kiev.” It wasn’t obvious. Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EU Ministry of Foreign Affairs), also recalls “the complexity that the EU has had to face, both in terms of differing sensitivities and economic impacts. But what has emerged is a Union much more aware of its own abilities, of its will to master its own destiny and willing to pay the price of security.” The war marked a turning point: for the first time, the EU States in a conflict arms to a third country.
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution for the unconditional withdrawal of Russia and a just peace, which, however, does not coincide with Zelenskyy’s plan.
“We have always fully politically supported Zelenskyy’s peace plan, but we also understood, together with Kiev, the need to find a broad formulation that can be put to the vote and that is not limited to the conflict, but has a dimension that finds expression may concern unilateral acts that violate a country’s territorial integrity and that are contrary to the principles of the UN Charter in order to achieve greater consensus».
Kyiv demands more weapons and ammunition. How is the EU?
‘On a strategy that splits in three directions. First of all, immediately give Kiev the ammunition it needs from state stocks. Second, accelerate ammo production by aggregating demand to replenish inventories. Third, to strengthen the production capacity of the European defense industry.”
The war reaffirmed the centrality of NATO and the United States. Is the “strategic compass” outdated?
“It would be a grave mistake to think that the security of the European continent will not be achieved through NATO or a strong alliance with the United States. And let’s not forget that 21 EU countries – we hope to have 23 soon when Sweden and Finland join – are taking part. The EU was not conceived and structured as a military alliance, but it can and does make a significant contribution to world security. The work started with the “Strategic Compass” as an EU subject and security provider in the broader sense goes in this direction».
How?
“War is not only waged in the area of weapons, but also with the fight against disinformation, cyber attacks, with energy diversification, with the reduction of critical dependencies.”
After Kiev, Biden went to Warsaw and not to Brussels. Is it the demonstration of the EU’s limits in foreign policy, without a single interlocutor?
“It is a recognition of Poland’s special role and commitment to this war. It has taken in millions of refugees. Most weapons destined for Kiev go through there. We continue to compare the US and the EU as if they were two homogeneous identities, but they are not. The United States is a federal state with one government and one president. The EU is a union of 27 sovereign states with 27 heads of state and government governed by a balance between its various institutions.
Has the war shifted the EU’s balance eastward?
“Countries that were on the front lines received heightened attention and expressed concern not only about what was happening in Ukraine, but also about the possible consequences for their countries. As President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We didn’t listen to them enough”.