Rapid delivery of ammunition to Ukraine can change the course of the war| ukraine news
The EU and its partners must use all levers to force Russia to end the war, such as political pressure and sanctions against Russia, military assistance to Ukraine, etc. This will be one of the key topics of the EU summit.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said so in Brussels ahead of the meeting of EU heads of state and government, reports Ukrinform.
The Estonian Prime Minister called for using all available levers (political pressure and isolation, economic sanctions, etc.) to pressure Russia to end the war. The war will end when Russia realizes it was a mistake.
She thanked the leaders of the Member States, the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as the High Representative of the EU for the decision to provide urgent artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Just five weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Estonia submitted such a proposal for consideration, and a decision has already been taken.
According to Kallas, the decision to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is positive. It is a significant sum. It must be done in a short time, within a year. Whether or not that is enough depends on how the war unfolds and how long it lasts. It is extremely important to quickly send ammunition to Ukraine. This can bring changes to the war, the Estonian Prime Minister stressed.
Kallas says that we must act in both directions (sending ammunition to Ukraine and replenishing European stocks). This should be done simultaneously. But it is better to send first, then restock. The joint purchase of ammunition is planned. Therefore, the European defense industry can double its production, added the Estonian official.
A question was asked about the possibility of China intervening in the war on the side of Russia. Responding to reporters, the Estonian prime minister expressed hope that China will abide by its international obligations and uphold the UN Charter.
It is important that China also abides by international rules and the Charter of the United Nations, according to which no country can attack another country. If a country is attacked, it has the right to defend itself. It is therefore an expression of respect for the Charter of the United Nations to send arms to a country which is defending itself. At the same time, supporting an aggressor is the opposite. Thus, there is an abuser and a victim of abuse in this situation, Kallas noted.
She stressed that all wars end with peace negotiations. But the question is to know when and under what conditions such negotiations are possible.
In this case, there is an aggressor and a victim. This means Russia must return to its borders and agree to pay reparations, the Estonian prime minister has said.
As reported, a two-day EU summit begins in Brussels on March 23. The first item on the agenda will be the situation in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via teleconference.
Other issues for EU leaders to consider will be the sustainability of the EU single market, the economy, financial stability and ensuring EU competitiveness.
Photo: Government Office
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