European Union leaders met for two days at Versailles to try to adopt a common strategy in the face of the “profound upheaval” caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, increasing their “resistance” against Moscow and reassuring Kyiv. which belongs to the European family. The summit closed this Friday at the beginning of the day. Here’s what to remember from the statements of Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.
Twenty-seven heads of state and government gathered for an informal two-day summit in Versailles At the initiative of the French Presidency of the EU, they tried to overcome their differences over the timetable and means of reducing member countries’ dependence on Russian gas and oil.
They also considered ways to keep your savings and strengthen your policy Protectionwhile the massive military offensive launched by Moscow vs Ukraine started the third week.
“This peak comes to critical momentin the midst of the war,” said yesterday Immanuel Macron, causing the “tremendous trauma” of this conflict at the gates of the EU. “We have to make serious decisions in the coming days, weeks.” For the President of France, the will of the summit “is to fully protect our fellow citizens, our companies from rising prices in the short term.”
“If this continues, we need to have more permanent mechanisms in Europe. (…) We are going to mandate the European Commission to prepare all the necessary texts by the end of the month,” he said. Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen spoke this Friday to take stock of these two days of discussions.
“Europe has shown its unity”
“This Versailles Declaration will go down in the annals of the European project“. Charles MichaelThe President of the European Council opened the press conference by saying that “The European Union has demonstrated its unity. We were able to come together support the Ukrainian people in every possible way. We want to tell our Ukrainian friends that they are full members of the European family. We are obliged strengthen connections with the Ukrainian people.
The only way to keep peace on our continent is through our unity. Emmanuel Macron
“Our destinies are connected”
Then came the turnUrsula von der Leyen, The President of the European Commission to take the floor. “Now the future of Ukraine and the future history of the EU and our democracies are being written” “Our destinies are connected. Ukraine is part of the European family. The aggression of Vladimir Putin is an aggression against all the principles that are dear to us.”
We will need other forces to defend Europe. Significant investment will be required and the EU must reach an agreement with NATO – Ursula von der Leyen
On the independence energy : “We have to work on a new design to meet these needs, so that 90% October 1 every year our abilities storage“.
The way to our Europe is open for Ukraine – Emmanuel Macron
New sanctions against Russia.
A new package of sanctions against Russia is planned, this will be the fourth salvo drawn up by the EU: “we are going to adopt a fourth package of sanctions, which will further isolate Russia from the world economy,” the chairman of the Commission assured. The new sanctions were confirmed by Emmanuel Macron a little later: “We are ready to accept other sanctions. All options are on the table.
We have the means to impose sanctions (against Russia), withstand counter-sanctions and protect our economy. Emmanuel Macron
The French President spoke of “massive sanctions”. An official G7 statement is due today to provide details.
“Putin returned the war to Europe”
Finally Immanuel Macron stated that “the choice of Russia, President Putin was to bring back the war in Europe.” The main requirements of the EU at the moment concern the achievement of a ceasefire and the “withdrawal of Russian troops.”
We are all well aware that this is a turning point for our societies and our European project.
The French President points out that, faced with this unprecedented situation in Europe, some countries have broken with their neutrality. This is the case of Sweden, Switzerland and, in a way, Germany: we have decided on unprecedented support for Ukraine. The countries that had previously had a tradition of neutrality, I mean Sweden in particular, decided participate in this specific support for Ukraine.“
We are putting pressure on Russia, we are conducting a demanding dialogue together with the German Chancellor.
To the question about European sovereignty “If some could see it as a slogan, now everyone understands that it is an imperative. (…) Our food, our energy, our protection are also subjects of sovereignty. (…) It is “to be able to stay open without being dependent”.
Price risk
“At the end of March, we will consider how to support our people on the issue of prices,” said Emmanuel Macron. The EU must “make it possible to guarantee mechanisms that will not be subject to the vagaries of the market associated with this context of the crisis. We must agree on this choice at the European level in order to better withstand the price shock associated with this geopolitical context.”
Emmanuel Macron also spoke about the EU’s energy dependence on Russia: “We must prepare to desensitize ourselves from our dependence on Russia. How to get out of our dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027.
Membership of Ukraine on the table
As stated at the press conference, the European Council has published a transcript of the speech. On the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the EU: “The Council acted quickly and invited the Commission to express its opinion on this candidate in accordance with the relevant provisions of the treaties. In anticipation of this opinion, We will strengthen our ties without further delay. and deepen our partnership to help Ukraine move forward on its European path. Ukraine is part of our European family.”
“Can we have an exceptional and expedited procedure with a country at war? The answer is no,” said Emmanuel Macron.