European Union leaders signed a security agreement with Ukraine yesterday and began talks on how to strengthen the EU's defense against Russia before agreeing on the bloc's priorities for the next five years and filling leading positions in its institutions.
The leaders of the 27 members of the bloc, who officially met for the first time since the European elections held from June 6 to 9, extended a warm welcome to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who personally appeared in Brussels for the signing ceremony.
The security deal underscores the EU's support for Kiev's fight against Moscow's invasion, despite the far-right's success in European elections, uncertainty over snap elections in France and the US presidential election.
The agreement outlines the EU's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security policy - including arms delivery, military training, cooperation in the field of defense industry and demining.
"These commitments will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilization and prevent future aggressions - which is a more concrete proof of the EU's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in the long run," said Charles Michel, President of the EU Council.
The draft conclusions from the summit said the leaders would reaffirm their pledge to support Ukraine as long as necessary, stressing that "Russia must not prevail" and that Ukraine must regain territory annexed by Moscow.
Diplomats told Reuters that European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said at the summit that between 1999 and 2021, the EU had increased defense spending by 20 percent, China by 600 and Russia by 300 percent, even before the massive Russian increase in military spending after the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
"We are not investing enough in our defense and now we need to make up for the time we have lost," European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters. "We need to make a big financial incentive to increase our defense capacities. It won't be easy.”
According to diplomat von der Leyen, she told the leaders that the EU should invest 500 billion euros in defense over the next 10 years. Financial options vary from national contributions, earmarked funds - called EU resources - and joint borrowing, Von der Leyen said.
In addition to defense, the draft strategic agenda calls for establishing a more competitive EU that can withstand economic pressures from China and the US, and for preparing a bloc for enlargement that will include Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.
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