The videoconference confrontation between Joe Biden and the leaders of the European Union was held this evening to take stock of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and agree on a common line. Wanted and organized by the US, the virtual table saw the participation of the American President Joe Biden, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
At the conclusion of the work, Biden himself made the synthesis in a tweet: “I spoke with European leaders and we discussed our joint efforts to discourage further aggression by Russia” in Ukraine, “such as preparations to impose high economic costs “in Moscow and” strengthening security in the east “.
Ukraine, 8,500 US troops on alert. Biden calls allies in Europe
by our correspondent Paolo Mastrolilli
More specifically, Joe Biden and European leaders reiterated their “concerns” for the strengthening of the Russian presence on the border with Ukraine and “expressed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the country, as reported by the White House. . The parties, continues Washington, have highlighted “their shared desire for a diplomatic solution to the current tensions” and have pledged to continue to consult closely.
On the EU side, tweet by Ursula von der Leyen: “Tonight substantial exchange with partners and allies on the situation in Ukraine. We share the assessment and are preparing for all eventualities in case diplomacy fails: sanctions in case of further Russian aggression , support for Ukraine “. Then an official note: “President von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for Ukraine, which includes the announcement of a new support package of € 1.2 billion in the form of a financial assistance package of emergency and 120 million euros in additional grants. The Commission and the SEA are working on a wide range of sectoral and individual sanctions in case of further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine “.
Biden’s phone call to shake Draghi and Italy reluctant to take sides with Ukraine
by Vincenzo Nigro
Position confirmed by sources at Palazzo Chigi, according to which the leaders have examined the progress of the crisis on the borders of Ukraine in the light of developments on the ground and the results of the numerous diplomatic contacts that have taken place both bilaterally and in the various multilateral formats. Support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was reiterated. The importance of maintaining the closest coordination between the allies and the need for a common response, capable of keeping open a channel of dialogue with Russia to ease tensions, were also reiterated, while clarifying the serious consequences that a further deterioration of the situation could result.