The EU distances itself from Washington and London and keeps its diplomatic staff in Ukraine | International

The European Union has shown this Monday willing to maintain its diplomatic presence in Kiev despite the fact that the United States and the United Kingdom have announced the withdrawal of part of their civilian personnel from Ukraine for security reasons. Brussels considers this precautionary move unnecessary at the moment and even wants to increase its economic and business support to counteract the destabilization that the continuous threats of war from Russia are causing in the country.

The EU has reiterated that any attack by Moscow will trigger unprecedented economic retaliation. And NATO has recounted the deployment of allied forces on the eastern flank, a gesture of force that has led the Kremlin to ensure that the probability of a conflict is higher than ever.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced a macro-financial assistance package of 1,200 million euros to help the Government of Volodimir Zelenski “to meet the financial needs caused by the conflict”. Von der Leyen trusts that the Council of the EU and the European Parliament will quickly approve the proposal “to proceed quickly to a first disbursement of 600 million euros”.

Brussels will also almost double the non-refundable subsidies it will offer to Ukraine this year, adding 120 million euros to the 160 million already planned, according to the Commission president.

The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, has for his part ruled out supporting Washington’s decision to begin reducing the diplomatic presence in Kiev unless the US provides information that justifies the alert. “We are not going to do the same [que EE UU]”, Borrell pointed out upon arrival at the meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels. The head of European diplomacy considers: “While the negotiations [con Moscú] continue, and at the moment they continue, I do not think it is necessary to leave Ukraine.

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The EU thus seems to bet on an escalation of tension in the medium term but without an immediate armed outcome. Washington, on the other hand, assures that the attack of the Russian forces against Ukraine could take place at any moment. And Moscow again and again accuses Kiev, again this Monday, of preparing a military attack against the Ukrainian provinces of Donbas that are in the hands of pro-Russian rebels, a threat that, real or not, could provide the Kremlin with an excuse to break into the territory of its neighboring country.

EU foreign ministers discussed the possibility of such an attack in a videoconference meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. And then, behind closed doors, the Europeans have discussed retaliation and contingency plans that would be adopted in the event that Russian President Vladimir Putin commits an invasion of Ukrainian territory.

At the end of the meeting with Blinken, Borrell commented at a press conference that “there is no new element that raises fears of an imminent attack” by Russia against Ukraine. The head of European diplomacy has advocated “not dramatizing” so as not to contribute to an escalation of tension that could have repercussions on the ground and on the economy.

The EU foreign ministers have unanimously approved a text in which they reiterate the warning to Moscow that “any new military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have enormous consequences and very high costs.” The document officially details for the first time that the economic retaliation of the EU and its Western allies will not only affect senior Russian officials but also “a wide range of sectors.” The EU maintains total secrecy about the scope of possible sanctions because “not giving information is part of the deterrence”, according to Borrell. “But don’t worry, the measures will be ready if the time comes,” added the High Representative.

The 27 consider the founding texts of European security after the Cold War, such as the Helsinki Act or the Paris Charter, non-negotiable or subject to revision. And they point out that its violation by Moscow would be “a threat to peace and stability on our continent.”

The document, loaded with very harsh paragraphs against Putin’s Russia, maintains the offer of dialogue as the best way to resolve the conflict. And it offers unwavering support for the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine in the face of the aggression it has been suffering.

“Any form of aggression by the Russian government will have a clear position, a clear response by the Europeans together with the Americans and within the framework of NATO,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said upon her arrival. to Brussels. But he added that while all scenarios are considered, the priority must be economic aid to the beleaguered country.

“It is important that we monitor the economic situation in Ukraine, its stabilization,” Baerbock said before the meeting of European ministers. And he added: “We are working very closely with Ukraine, both in terms of financial support and economic assistance.”

Baerbock has also distanced himself from the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel announced by Washington and has insisted that the diplomatic and business presence in Ukraine can help stabilize the situation and promote a de-escalation of tension. The minister has assured that the safety of the personnel is the absolute priority “but it is also important that we do not contribute to increasing the uncertainty of the situation, but that we continue to clearly support the Ukrainian Government and, above all, that we maintain the stability of the country”.

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