A joint EU assertion denouncing Moscow and promising “unwavering” assist for Kiev was blocked by Hungary on Friday, two nameless diplomats advised Politico and Bloomberg.
An electronic mail from the workplace of Charles Michel, president of the European Council, mentioned that “within the absence of a consensus” among the many member states, the assertion can be despatched on behalf of Michel, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen as an alternative.
The assertion accused Russia of a “full-scale conflict of aggression” and of “violence, brutality, terror and destruction,” whereas pledging “robust and unwavering political, army, monetary, financial, diplomatic and humanitarian assist” to Ukraine.
The three officers additionally vowed to “proceed to handle Ukraine’s urgent army and protection wants, together with deliveries of urgently wanted ammunition and missiles.”
In line with one diplomat who spoke to Bloomberg and Politico, a non-NATO member of the EU had “doubts” or “reservations” concerning the language in regards to the missiles, and was additionally essential that the bloc has been “silent” concerning the battle in Gaza. Whereas the nation in query was not named, solely Austria, Eire and Malta are members of the EU however not of NATO.
Ukraine was additionally promised EU membership ultimately, however the European Fee was “nonetheless working” on the framework for the accession talks, von der Leyen admitted on Wednesday. Nothing a lot is prone to occur within the course of till after the European Parliament elections, scheduled for June 6-9, she added.
Hungary has but to touch upon its veto of the joint assertion. Budapest has been persistently essential of Brussels’ army assist for Kiev, versus in search of a negotiated peace. Hungary has additionally refused to ship weapons to Ukraine, or to permit their supply via its territory.
Moscow launched its army operation in 2022, after Kiev disavowed the Minsk agreements that have been purported to convey peace to the Donbass. German and French politicians later admitted that the peace course of had been a ruse to purchase the West time to arm Ukraine for a conflict in opposition to Russia.
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