EU is ready to take on burden of helping Ukraine if US cuts support – Polish foreign minister

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has said that the largest EU countries are ready to provide Ukraine with financial and military assistance if the United States cuts support under the new administration led by Donald Trump.

Source: Wprost with reference to Sikorski after talks with his counterparts from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain 

Details: Sikorski said that he and the officials agreed that Europe should take more responsibility for its own security, including through a more balanced burden-sharing in NATO.

In addition, Sikorski noted that he and Kaja Kallas, the future EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, discussed options for strengthening support for Ukraine.

"I note with gratitude in this context the readiness of the largest EU countries to take on the burden of military and financial support for Ukraine in the face of a possible reduction in US involvement," Sikorski said.

He added that the ministers also agreed that imposing peaceful solutions on Ukraine that are contrary to its interests or do not have public recognition would have a negative impact on the country's stability.

"Scenarios for resolving the conflict and ending Russia’s aggression should be developed in close cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities," Sikorski stressed.

The ministers also advocate maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Russia until it withdraws its troops from Ukraine and covers the costs of recovering the country. Any loopholes in the sanctions regime must be closed, Sikorski stressed.

Background:

• Sikorski said that in discussions about ending the war in Ukraine, it is important to remember that the conditions of this potential peace are more important than just the cessation of hostilities.
• Recently, EU leaders at a meeting in Budapest discussed the possibility of continuing military assistance to Ukraine if US President-elect Donald Trump decides to withdraw US support.
• It was also reported that UK Defence Secretary John Healey is confident that the US would support Ukraine as long as it takes under the presidency of Donald Trump.

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