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EU Laments US Decision To Cut Arms Shipments To Ukraine

By Magnus Lund Nielsen and Thomas Moller-Nielsen (EurActiv) --  Donald Trump’s decision to curtail weapons deliveries to Ukraine represents a “serious setback” for Kyiv and for European security, EU leaders said on Thursday.  Danish premier Mette Frederiksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged fellow policymakers to boost defence spending and military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The comments come after Washington abruptly halted deliveries of advanced weapons systems to the war-torn nation this week, causing Kyiv to summon the US chargé d’affaires to its ministry of foreign affairs. “If [the] US decides not to provide Ukraine with what is needed, it would be a serious setback, for Ukraine and for Europe and for NATO,” said Frederiksen, whose country took over the rotating EU Council presidency earlier this month. “We will look into the decisions made in Washington. We hope that the transatlantic partnership, when it comes to Ukraine, will stay on. It's important for all of us. [But] if there will be any gaps, I think we will have to fill them up,” she added. Frederiksen’s remarks were echoed by von der Leyen, who urged EU governments to make to use of the recently introduced €150 billion SAFE facility, which provides loans to finance joint military projects. “Member states can take this money [from SAFE] and either buy military equipment and give it to Ukraine, or they can take this money and invest it in the extremely efficient Ukrainian defence industry,” von der Leyen said. Zelenskyy: "It's a pity" Europe doesn't have some weapons Both leaders also said European security would be bolstered by the EU’s defence “omnibus” package, which aims to boost military investments by slashing regulations for defence companies and financial institutions across the bloc. They also said that the EU should accelerate efforts to pass its 18th sanctions package against Moscow, which is currently being blocked by Slovakia and Hungary over concerns about a potential loss of access to cheap Russian energy. Both also reiterated their call for Ukraine to be admitted to the EU – a move which is also currently being vetoed by Hungary. Frederiksen alluded to the symbolism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, also being in Aarhus on Thursday. Zelenskyy told reporters in Aarhus that it is “very important” that defence funding to Kyiv “remains predictable”. “Of course, we count on the continuation of American support. But there are some items - [and ] it’s a pity – which Europe doesn’t have,” he said, pointing to the provision of “crucial” American-made Patriot missile defence systems. Zelenskyy added that he “hopes” to talk to Donald Trump tomorrow or in the next few days. Trump posted on Thursday that he would also speak with Vladimir Putin at 16:00 CEST. In February, the US briefly halted weapons sales and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a disastrous public confrontation between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office.