Status: 09/15/2022 9:00 p.m
“We should take this seriously”: During her third visit to Kyiv since the beginning of the war, EU Commission chief von der Leyen spoke out in favor of tank deliveries. She also praised the reforms of the EU accession candidate.
On the sidelines of her visit to Kyiv, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on the EU states to comply with Ukrainian demands for deliveries of battle tanks. “If they say they need battle tanks, then we should take it seriously and deliver it to them,” she said in an interview with Bild TV. “The Ukrainians are proving that if they have the right military means, they can defend themselves.” The Ukrainians fought for all of Europe.
The EU itself does not have weapons, but has already provided the government in Kyiv with 2.5 billion euros in military aid through the so-called peace facility. Von der Leyen also said the EU must do whatever it can to help, such as financial support, alongside military means. The EU has already provided 19 billion euros for this.
EU Commission President von der Leyen again in Kyiv
Vassili Golod, WDR, currently Kyiv, daily news at 8:00 p.m., September 15, 2022
Blade ax reticent
Ukraine demands from Germany the delivery of Leopard 2 main battle tanks. However, at a party event in Oldenburg, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil again expressed reservations about the delivery of modern Western-style battle tanks. “There is a decision with the Allies that no country is supplying Western-style main battle tanks right now.” But he also expects the federal government to “deal every day with what is actually happening in Ukraine and what is the next step that we can take.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz pointed out again on Wednesday that such a decision would not be made on a national basis.
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) announced that two more Mars multiple rocket launchers and 50 Dingo armored vehicles are to be delivered to Ukraine.
“At your side for as long as necessary”
Von der Leyen had previously assured Ukraine of the full support of the European Union in Kyiv. “We can never compensate for the sacrifices made by the Ukrainians,” she said at a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “But what we can say is you will have your European friends by your side for as long as it takes.”
Von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s efforts to achieve EU membership. The accession process is on the right track: “It is impressive to see the speed, determination and precision with which you are making progress.”
Zelenskyi said Ukraine wants to join the EU’s internal market, which allows free movement of goods, services and capital, before accession. Access to it is a very important issue for Ukraine: “It will be one of the most important victories of our country.”
Candidate for membership since June
In June, the EU officially admitted Ukraine to the list of candidate countries. However, further negotiations can only begin once the country has implemented comprehensive reforms, for example in the judiciary and in the fight against corruption.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in Brussels last week that his country wants to meet the EU’s requirements for accession negotiations by the end of the year.
“Impressive bravery of the armed forces”
Von der Leyen also praised Ukraine’s recent military successes. Progress still needs to be consolidated: “But it’s still impressive to see the bravery of the Ukrainian armed forces.” The success lifted spirits – not only among the Ukrainian people, but also among their friends.
Regarding arms deliveries to Ukraine, von der Leyen said that all EU countries were taking the same approach: it was necessary to support the country with the military equipment it needed to defend itself. Ukraine has shown that it can do this if it is well equipped.
Awarded medals
On her third visit to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s war against the country, Zelenskyi awarded the German politician the Order of Yaroslav the Wise. “It’s a great honor,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter. This is the second highest order that foreign citizens can receive for special services to Ukraine.
Selenskyj also dedicated von der Leyen a floor slab on the “Avenue of Courage” in front of the parliament building in Kyiv. These are given to politicians who traveled to the capital after the war began. Prior to von der Leyen, Polish President Andrzej Duda and British ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson received such an honor.