diplomacy
Europe summit: Selenskyj asks for patriots and fighter jets
Maia Sandu welcomes Volodymyr Zelenskyj after his arrival in Bulboaca. photo
© Vadim Ghirda/AP/dpa
The second summit of the new European Political Community is intended to send a clear message to Russia’s president: Putin’s Russia is now almost completely isolated in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged his allies at the European summit in Moldova for support with modern fighter jets and Patriot anti-missiles. Military support for Ukraine now depends on two components: “a patriot coalition that puts an end to Russian blackmail with ballistic missiles, and a coalition of modern warplanes that proves that terror against our citizens has no chance.” said Zelenskyj in the opening session of the European Political Community (EPG) summit in front of almost 50 heads of state and government at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca.
Ukraine has already received Patriot air defense systems from its allies – including from Germany. So far, however, the German government has not participated in a coalition forged at the G7 summit to support Ukraine with American-made F-16 fighter jets. Several other European countries, including the Netherlands and the UK, have announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16. Germany does not have an F-16 itself, but neither does Great Britain.
At the summit, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again emphasized the importance of German support for Ukraine’s air defenses. This contribution is important right now, “when there are so many rocket, plane and cruise missile attacks by the Russian Federation,” he said at the start of the summit. This takes place only about 20 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Meeting of Scholz, Marcon and Zelenskyj
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European summit in Moldova. This was announced by the German delegation. For Scholz and Selenskyj, it is the third personal encounter within three weeks: in mid-May, the Ukrainian head of state was in Berlin for the first time since the Russian war of aggression began, and a few days later he saw Scholz at the G7 summit in Japan.
According to German information, Scholz and Macron will also try to contribute to a de-escalation in the Kosovo conflict. The two want to speak separately with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani. The Chancellor arrived in the Moldovan capital Chisinau in the morning. The European Political Community (EPG) summit will be held in the nearby Mimi Castle, just 20 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Energy supply and climate protection
The official program of the EPG summit includes security issues as well as energy supply and climate protection. It is also about how the still high dependence of European countries on Russian gas and oil can be reduced.
Selenskyj had recently traveled to the summits of the Arab League in Saudi Arabia and the G7 group of leading democratic economic powers in Japan. In Moldova, however, he is not just a guest, but a real member, since the Ukraine is part of the new EPG.