The European Union (EU) foreign ministers recently held a meeting in Kyiv, marking the first time the assembly was held outside the bloc. As Ukraine seeks to join the EU, the meeting aimed to demonstrate resolute and lasting support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war with Russia. EU policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized the significance of the war as an existential crisis, stating that Europeans see it as a threat to their existence. He reaffirmed the need for continued support from EU member states and cooperation with the United States.
However, the meeting took place following the exclusion of further military funding for Ukraine from a last-minute US budget deal. The temporary measure did not include $6 billion in military aid for Kyiv. Despite this, President Joe Biden assured Ukraine that it could still count on US support, as he had already approved substantial military aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in the previous year.
Nonetheless, the Kremlin expressed its belief that conflict fatigue would grow in both Europe and the US. Although not included in the budget deal, Washington is expected to remain directly involved in the conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba regarded the exclusion of military aid as an “incident” rather than a sign of decreased support. He acknowledged the opposition towards further military aid from hardline Republicans and emphasized efforts to prevent its repetition under any circumstances.
Ukraine has made some progress in pushing back against Russia. Notably, it has widened the breach in Russia’s defenses in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and achieved advances around Bakhmut after Russia redeployed its highly experienced troops for further strengthening defenses in the south. On the other hand, Russia has continued drone attacks on Ukraine’s River Danube ports, inflicting damage on the country’s grain export infrastructure. Infrastructure facilities and residential buildings in Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, and Kharkiv regions have been reported as damaged.
The EU foreign ministry meeting occurred after Slovakia’s parliamentary elections, where the pro-Russian candidate, Robert Fico, emerged victorious. As Fico is expected to begin coalition talks on forming the next government, his previous pledge to end military support for Ukraine immediately raises concerns. However, it is still too early to determine the exact impact of Slovakia’s election result on Ukraine.
In light of these developments, Russia has been cautioned against relying on weariness within the EU regarding its support for Ukraine. The gathering of EU foreign ministers aimed to send a clear message to Russia that the EU will remain committed to supporting Ukraine for a significant period. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for the international community to closely monitor and respond to the ongoing conflict to ensure the security and stability of the region.