European Commission foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell described Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine as an “existential threat” to Europe. Photo by Ukraine Foreign Ministry/EPA-EFE
Oct. 2 (UPI) — Foreign ministers from the European Union gathered in Kyiv on Monday for an informal summit aimed at demonstrating the bloc’s support for Ukraine. This gathering took place as additional funding from the United States to fight against Russia became uncertain.
The solidarity conference was led by Josep Borrell, the foreign affairs chief of the European Commission, who went on to describe the ongoing conflict as an “existential threat” to Europe.
This meeting marked a significant moment as Ukraine approached the two-year mark of the war, setting the stage for its potential inclusion in the 27-nation bloc.
This gathering outside EU territory was the first of its kind and was held after the U.S. Senate approved short-term funding to avert a government shutdown. However, amidst the opposition from far-right Republicans on Capitol Hill, additional assistance for Ukraine was not included.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, expressed confidence before the summit that recent talks with U.S. officials had left the door open for further support from Washington.
“The question is whether what happens in the U.S. Congress last weekend is an incident or a system; I think it was an incident,” he said. “So we don’t feel that the U.S. support has been shattered … because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, it’s about the stability and predictability of the world. And therefore I believe that we’ll be able to find the necessary solutions.”
The morning after the vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed determination and unwavering dedication, vowing that Kyiv’s efforts to defend itself would not be halted.
Simultaneously, President Joe Biden urged Republican lawmakers to reconsider providing funding for Ukraine, highlighting the significance of Ukraine’s defense in the future of global democracy. This funding, amounting to $12 billion, was initially part of a deal struck by Biden with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, it was not included in the Sept. 30 stopgap spending bill due to opposition from GOP hardliners who were against continued funding for the war.
During the summit, the foreign ministers discussed ways in which the EU could offer additional military assistance to Ukraine while also seeking continued support from their U.S. counterparts. Borrell expressed confidence that Republican lawmakers in the U.S. would reconsider their stance on the funding matter.
Another challenge faced by the summit members was the victory of pro-Russian populists in Slovakia’s election over the weekend.
At the start of the meeting, Borrell conveyed a “message of support” from the coalition, stating that EU leaders were becoming more open to the idea of Ukraine’s membership in the coalition. He emphasized that the war with Russia was not isolated, but rather, it was taking place within the future borders of the European Union.
“For us Europeans, it’s an existential threat,” Borrell asserted. “Maybe it’s not seen like this by everybody around the world. But for us Europeans, it’s an existential threat.”
Additionally, the summit members planned to discuss a 10-point peace plan which called for the restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 borders and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops.
