“I am quite sure that we are sending a very clear signal: Putin has miscalculated if he believes that we will not be able to support Ukraine for as long as necessary and the use of profits” from immobilized Russian assets “is a small but important fundamental element”. He said it German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arriving at the European Council in Brussels.
Profits from frozen Russian assets “can be used by the European Union and, in my opinion, first of all to have the opportunity to acquire the weapons and ammunition that Ukraine needs for its own defensive struggle,” he said. Scholz added.
Europe is preparing for face the threats of Putin. What opens today is a war summit with the aim of preparing citizens for possible security crises. “We need an approach that takes all risks into account,” reads the draft conclusions.
The European Council underlines the “imperative” need for a “strengthened and coordinated military-civilian preparation” and “strategic crisis management in the context of the evolving threat landscape”. It therefore invites the Council to continue the work and the Commission, together with the High Representative, to propose “actions to strengthen crisis preparedness and response at EU level in an approach that takes into account all risks and all the company, in view of a future readiness strategy”.
“Today the European Council will discuss” the possibility of introducing defense bonds “probably without making a decision. It is clear, however, that current events require us to find common financing tools. I believe that we are not there yet, and this may be a cause for regret, but we need to go in that direction”. The EU Commissioner for Economy told ANSA Paolo Gentiloni, on the sidelines of the pre-summit of the EU socialists in Brussels.
“We believe in Europe. And we believe in a European defense. Defense Eurobonds are a good idea, as was done for Covid. European defense is a path that also requires financial support, I believe we have good reasons to convince other countries too” on Eurobonds. This was said by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a press point at the EPP summit.
“Russian terrorists do not have such missiles that could bypass the defense of the Patriots and other important world systems. Now this protection is needed here in Ukraine. From Kiev to Kharkiv, from Sumy to Kherson, from Odessa to the Donetsk region. This it is quite possible if the partners have sufficient political will“: the Ukrainian president writes on Telegram Volodymyr Zelensky in light of last night’s Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, during which – he underlines – more than 30 missiles were shot down, including a hypersonic one. “We must demonstrate that terror always loses. We must demonstrate to Russia that it will be forced to accept a normal and free life in Ukraine. We need the support of partners. And I am grateful to everyone in the world who really helps,” concludes Zelensky.
Russia will use all possible judicial mechanisms and will choose other methods to respond if the EU decides to confiscate the proceeds from its capital frozen in Europe to be sent to Kiev. She said it the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by the Ria Novosti agency.
The Kremlin denounced “the unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union on China” regarding its relations with Russia, after Russian media reported that some Beijing banks rejected yuan payments from Russian companies over fears of secondary sanctions. “This, of course, creates some problems” but “we have the necessary potential to overcome these difficulties,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Tass.
Sending military contingents of NATO countries to Ukraine can lead to “very negative, even irreparable consequences”. added the Kremlin spokesperson, quoted by the Interfax agency.
Green light from the Permanent Representatives of the 27 in the EU (Coreper II) to sanctions against individuals and entities held responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny. The dossier was approved by the meeting in the points without discussion and triggers the written procedure for final ratification. The procedure could end on Friday morning.
There is an ongoing clash between the 27 over the possibility of creating common debt – through defense bonds or bonds issued for common projects of a group of member countries – to support the investments in the defense sector. Several European diplomatic sources support this. The ‘frugals’ – led by Germany – would have asked for and, at the moment, obtained the removal from the draft conclusions of the reference to “innovative tools” to finance the strengthening of EU industry and now we would move towards asking the Commission to prepare a document on “possible options”.
For further information ANSA Von der Leyen Agency, first payment of 4.5 billion to Kiev today – Europa – Ansa.it Part of the 50 billion instrument, next tranche in April. EU OK to sanctions linked to Navalny’s death (ANSA)
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