Minister of abroad Affairs Radosław Sikorski took part in a gathering of the Committee on abroad Affairs in the European Parliament in Brussels, where he commented on the words of the head of the Russian MFA Sergei Lawrow on the non-acceptance of abroad troops in Ukraine. Sikorski stressed that the decision to adopt abroad troops belongs to Ukraine, not Russia.
Right to decision: Sikorski said that "the full point of Ukrainian opposition against Russian aggression is that Ukraine decides which abroad troops, if any, should be in its territory." His words were a consequence to Lavrov's message that Russia would not accept the deployment of abroad troops in Ukraine as part of the peace agreement.
Sanctions against Russia: Sikorski besides referred to a package of sanctions adopted by associate States' ambassadors to the EU against Russia, which will cover further sectors of the Russian economy, as well as the alleged shadow fleet, which, despite sanctions, transport oil from Russia. The head of the MFA said that this means that the associate States are unanimous, which gives additional arguments to those who will possibly negociate an agreement with Russia.
Defence reinforcement: Sikorski said that Europe would gotta find the means to strengthen its defence. He added that they would gotta come from increased cash contributions, from unexploited money from another EU programmes or from fresh debt. He very much likes the thought of creating a bank for re-enforcement that could follow the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Assistance to Ukraine: erstwhile asked how else Europe could aid Ukraine, Sikorski mentioned the transfer of money to the Ukrainian arms manufacture and the creation of joint ventures with Ukrainians. He added that Ukraine has truly the best drones, and that Europe should learn from them and buy to effort to defend itself against a conflict that I hope will never come.
Durable and fair peace: Sikorski stressed that the EU should not mark short-term solutions for Ukraine, for example, a ceasefire that could easy be broken, but a lasting and just peace that would make the Russians usage that time to rebuild the military force and re-attack. He added that Russia, president Putin understood the language of force, and that the agreement with Moscow would apply and would proceed erstwhile Russia would not be strong adequate to break it.
In 2022, according to UN data, the number of war victims in Ukraine exceeded 10,000. This war besides caused massive population migrations as well as crucial economical losses. That is why it is so crucial that Europe and Ukraine work together to accomplish lasting and fair peace.
According to the EU data, in 2022, Europe allocated over EUR 10 billion to aid Ukraine, including sanctions against Russia. In addition, many European countries have committed to expanding their defence spending to strengthen their position towards Russia.
All this shows that Europe and Ukraine must work together to accomplish lasting and fair peace. That is why it is so crucial that sanctions against Russia are effective and Europe's defence is at the right level. As Sikorski said, Europe must make a defence union worth its name.
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Security of Europe: Radosław Sikorski on sanctions and defence
