Russia pledged on Monday to retaliate against the EU after supporting Ukraine, and warned the West not to supply weapons to the country.
A spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry said the steps the bloc had taken against it since then invasion of Ukrainewhich include sanctions, “will not go unanswered”.
He also warned that “EU citizens and structures” involved in sending weapons to Ukraine would be “responsible for any consequences”.
The threat came after the EU closed its airspace to all Russian planes – which later saw Russian carrier Aeroflot suspend all flights to Europe – and banned Kremlin propaganda channels. Russia today and Sputnik.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last night that this was the first time the EU had done so for a country under attack.
EU defense ministers also had to discuss plans to send defense weapons to Ukraine today.
The bloc’s foreign minister, Josep Borrell, said: “Half a billion euros [$560 million] will be dedicated to the provision of defensive weapons, high-caliber weapons and anti-tank weapons [equipment] – any agreements to repel aggression.
“We need to coordinate what we do and what we can do further with these resources,” he added.
Russia pledged on Monday to retaliate against the EU after supporting Ukraine, and warned the West not to supply weapons to the country.
According to CNN, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “Citizens and EU structures involved in the supply of deadly weapons and fuels and lubricants to Ukraine’s armed forces will be responsible for any consequences of such actions in the context of the ongoing special military operation. .
“They cannot help but understand the degree of danger of the consequences,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement continued to reduce the sanctions regime imposed by Western countries and the EU.
The spokesman said the sanctions were “illegitimate under international law” and intended to “do maximum damage to Russia”.
“The actions of the European Union will not go unanswered,” they added.
“Russia will continue to guarantee the realization of its vital national interests, without taking into account sanctions and their threats.
“It’s time for Western countries to realize that their undivided dominance in the global economy is long gone.”
Ms von der Leyen said last night: “We are closing EU airspace to all Russian planes, including the private planes of oligarchs.
“Second, in another unprecedented step, we will ban the Kremlin’s media machine in the EU.
“State-owned Russia Today and Sputnik, as well as their subsidiaries, will no longer be able to spread their lies in support of Putin’s lies.”
Ms von der Leyen also backed Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, after President Vladimir Zelensky insisted on joining.
The threat came after the EU closed its airspace to all Russian planes – which later saw Russian carrier Aeroflot suspend all flights to Europe – and banned Kremlin propaganda publications Russia Today and Sputnik. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) said last night that this was the first time the EU had done so for an attacked country
Russia has warned that “EU citizens and structures” involved in arms shipments to Ukraine will be “responsible for any consequences”. Above: Soldiers from the breakaway republic of Luhansk
She said Euronews: “We have a process with Ukraine, which is, for example, the integration of the Ukrainian market into the single market. We have very close cooperation in the energy network, for example.
“So many topics that we work on very closely together and really belong to us over time. They are one of us and we want them to be present.
Ms von der Layen also said Putin’s confidence was “completely broken and eroded” after Brussels unveiled a new package of sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
In the wake of his comments, Zelensky signed a request for Ukraine to join the EU “immediately” as his country continued to face Russian attack.
He called for “Ukraine’s immediate accession through a new special procedure”.
But Ms von der Layen’s spokeswoman withdrew from her previous comments, saying she meant Europe “as a whole” and was already in the process of joining the bloc.
This sentiment was echoed by European Council President Charles Michel, who said there were long-standing differences between EU countries over the accession of new members.
President Zelensky signed a request for Ukraine to join the EU “immediately” as troops resist a fierce attack by Russia, but Brussels officials warn that the process of joining the bloc takes years
Eric Mamer, spokesman for Ms von der Layen, said that the EU High Representative meant that Ukraine “is a European country and we want them to be present, that is, Europe as a whole”.
“She also clarified that there is a process (for joining the EU). And I think that’s the important point, “he added.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal wrote on Twitter that “it’s time to write it down.” Ukraine is applying for EU membership under a special procedure.
However, such a fast-track procedure does not exist, officials said.
Joining the bloc can be a long and complex process that often requires major reforms to meet EU standards.
They also need to prove that their finances are moving in a direction that will allow them to adopt the euro.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said any membership bid could take “many years”.
The European Commission has said that in any case, it can only negotiate with credible candidate countries on the basis of a mandate from the 27 EU member states – something it has not received for Ukraine.
“Ultimately, this is a debate at the highest political level, for the (European) Council,” where member states make decisions, said commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero.
President Zelenski, left, said: “Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible. ” European Council President Charles Michel, right, said Kyiv would have to submit a formal request to join before member states – which will have to give the green light for membership unanimously – could take a stand.
View of a car that was destroyed by the recent shelling on the outskirts of Kyiv on Sunday, when the EU appears to have rejected Ukraine’s application to speed up EU membership
According to Zelensky’s social media channel, the Ukrainian president signed the EU’s request on Monday
European Council President Charles Michel told a group of journalists that there have been long-standing differences between EU countries over the bloc’s enlargement.
“There are different opinions and sensitivities in the EU about enlargement,” he told a group of journalists.
He said Kyiv would have to submit a formal request to join before member states, which would have to give the green light for unanimity, could come up with a position.
According to a telegram from Zelensky’s channel, the Ukrainian president signed such a request on Monday.
“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,” he said. “I’m sure it’s fair.” I’m sure it’s possible.
The European Union, made up of six nations under different names in 1957, has expanded in four waves over the last three decades. Since Britain left the bloc in 2020, it has 27 member states.
There are currently five candidate countries – Turkey, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania – but their candidacies have remained unknown for years.
The last country to join the EU was Croatia, which joined in 2013, after nearly a decade of negotiations and reforms.
Countries that have so far sent military aid to Ukraine include Britain, Germany, the United States, France and Belgium.
The United Kingdom sent 2,000 next-generation light anti-tank weapons (NLAW) to Ukraine, while the United States sent a plane loaded with 300 Javelin missiles worth about $ 50 million to Kyiv last month.
Other countries, including Turkey, the Czech Republic and Estonia, also followed suit.
Germany has repealed its own policy of transferring deadly weapons to send military aid.
It will supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles from its armed forces, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. “It is our duty to do everything we can to support Ukraine in defending itself against Putin’s invading army,” Scholz wrote on Twitter.
In addition, the German Ministry of Economy and Climate said that Germany allows the Netherlands to send 400 anti-tank weapons made in Germany to Ukraine.
Germany will also send 14 armored vehicles and up to 10,000 tons of fuel to Ukraine.
Earlier on Saturday, the Dutch government said in a letter to parliament that it would deliver 200 missiles to Ukraine’s air defenses as soon as possible.
The Netherlands will deliver 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible, the Dutch government said in a letter to parliament on Saturday.
Belgium has promised 2,000 machine guns and 3,800 tons of fuel.
France has decided to send defensive military equipment to Ukraine to support the country against Russia’s invasion, a French army spokesman said on Saturday, adding that the issue of sending offensive weapons was still under consideration.