Before the start of the EU summit, Biden called for unity between states as Putin wanted to break up NATO. “I say deadly serious: I think that was his intention from the very beginning.” “He would rather face 30 independent states than 30 united states.”
Therefore, nothing is more important than maintaining the unity of allies in NATO, the European Union and the G7. “This is the most important thing we can do to stop this man who we believe has already committed war crimes in our country.”
Putin wants to show that democracies will not work in the 21st century due to the rapid changes in the world. And that autocracies will rule, according to Biden. You have to counteract this, so appeal. With Biden as a guest, the US President attended an EU summit for the first time in history.
AP / Olivier Matthys After the meeting of NATO allies and the G7 countries, the 27 heads of state and government of the EU met in the evening to discuss the war in Ukraine
“Coordinated and unified response”
In a joint statement by the United States and the European Council, leaders discussed “the coordinated and united response of the European Union and the United States to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression.” The intention to impose further sanctions on Russia and Belarus as well as attempts to circumvent the existing sanctions were also discussed.
In particular, it says: “We are united in condemning Russia’s unjustified and unfounded aggression against Ukraine.” We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and call on Russia to “stop the brutal attack on its neighbors.”
Former Lehne diplomat on Western reactions
Stefan Lehne from the American think tank Carnegie Europe and former director of the State Department comments on possible alternative directions of the West’s actions in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen: “Coherence stronger than ever”
Before the summit, von der Leyen stressed that the cohesion between the Western powers was “stronger than ever before”. She announced that on Friday the US and the EU will “present a new chapter in our energy partnership”. It is about additional supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US to the EU in place of Russian liquefied natural gas.
Schaidreiter (ORF) on Western reactions
Raffaela Schaidreiter comments on the first results of NATO, EU and G7 alliance meetings on Thursday in Brussels.
Dispute over energy sanctions
According to an EU official, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in his video speech called for tougher sanctions in the energy sector to increase pressure on Moscow. He has repeatedly called for a ban on Russian gas, oil and coal imports. In his ten-minute speech, Selenski stressed that his country was also fighting for the freedom of the EU.
However, on the Russian energy embargo, EU member states still disagree. While Germany and Austria categorically exclude this and refer to security of supply, the Baltic states are putting pressure on it in particular. Supporters of the sanctions argue that as long as the EU buys energy from Russia, the war will be financed.
In the latest draft final declaration for the EU summit, which is available to ORF.at, it says quite broadly: Further sanctions can be decided quickly. Any attempt to circumvent already adopted sanctions or assist Russia in any other way must be stopped. Moreover, according to the draft, the EU wants to continue to provide Ukraine with coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support.
Reuters / Evelyn Hockstein “Signal of Unity”: for the first time in history, the US president attended an EU summit
EU Summit Project: Russia Commits War Crimes
The European Union is likely to follow the US government’s assessment that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine. The draft states: “Russia is carrying out attacks on civilians, targeting civilian facilities, including hospitals, medical facilities, schools and shelters. These war crimes must stop immediately. ” In the previous draft, the word “crime” was used. The US government officially accused Russian troops in Ukraine of war crimes for the first time on Wednesday.
The 27 EU countries urge Russia to immediately end its attack on Ukraine, withdraw all forces and equipment, and recognize the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Civilians trapped in the war zone must be able to exit safely, all hostages will be released immediately and free humanitarian access ensured. Russia must fulfill its obligations under international law.
AP / Olivier Matthys Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) is also present at the EU Summit, here with Council President Charles Michel
“Big mistake not to hope for membership”
Meanwhile, Politico informed that the president of the European Parliament, Robert Metsol, continued to insist on the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU. “Obviously it’s a process,” said Metsola, “but today we need to make sure the message[perspektyw akcesyjnych, przyp. red.]it is and will be kept “. it would be a big mistake “if it weren’t for tonight’s result.”
Ukraine summit in Brussels
A series of summits on the war in Ukraine will be held in Brussels on Thursday. After NATO, the G7 and the EU also discussed their further course of action against Russia.
Clear words at the NATO and G7 summit
While the first day of the summit is devoted to defense and security policy, Friday will primarily focus on rising energy prices. The summit marathon started on Thursday morning with a NATO marathon followed by the G7 meeting. NATO warned Russia about the far-reaching consequences of that country’s use of chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.
NATO warns Moscow not to use chemical weapons
This follows a statement following a special NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the use of chemical or biological weapons could also affect the population of NATO countries.
The G7 countries also hit Russia hard. Biden also called for Russia to be excluded from the G20. The decision, however, depends on Indonesia, the current president of the G20 and other members.