Granada [Spain], October 6: Preserving European solidarity with Ukraine is the biggest challenge facing the continent, Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky said on Thursday at a gathering of leaders in Spain, amid concerns that aid pledges to Kiev could be slowing down as the war's second winter looms.
Zelensky spoke at a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Granada, Spain, where several dozen European leaders convened with the aim of enhancing cooperation despite the host of geopolitical tensions rattling the continent.
Zelensky stressed the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defence ahead of what is expected to be another harsh winter. Ukraine in anticipating Russian missiles and drones to once again rain down on its energy network.
"We in Europe have to be ready," he said, urging the leaders to keep up their military aid.
He called out the political turmoil in the US Congress that led to Ukraine aid to be excluded in a recent spending bill. He said he remained "confident" the US would continue with its support and appealed to Europe to keep rallying around Ukraine in the meantime.
"America helped us, helped Europe to survive," he said. "And now it is important, very important, for Europe not to hide sails from the wind, trying to wait out the storm." "Certainly Europe cannot replace the US," said the EU's top diplomat, JosepBorrell, as he arrived at the meeting. He added that he hopes the US will continue to help Kiev.
The EU was however working to expand its assistance, he added. "All the Europeans are backing VolodymyrZelensky and his country," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was hosting the meeting.
Negotiations to adapt the bloc's long-term budget to provide Ukraine with $52.6bn in the years 2024 until 2027 are still ongoing, as well as talks about supporting Kiev's armed forces with €5bn annually during the same period.
Also a decision to allocate another €500mn in short-term military support to Kiev is still pending.
The third EPC meeting is meant to give the attending countries a chance to foster dialogue beyond the borders of the 27-member European Union.
Source: Qatar Tribune