The draft decision of the summit of leaders of the European Union, which begins on May 30, contains a promise to continue to arm and finance Ukraine against the backdrop of Russian “atrocities, suffering and destruction.”
EUobserver got acquainted with the draft document, writes Evropeyskaya Pravda.
“The European Union is firmly committed to helping Ukraine realize its inalienable right to self-defense against Russian aggression,” says the proposed document, which is still being finalized by the EU ambassadors.
EU leaders also welcome any new legal “measures to confiscate” Russian property in the EU and explore “options to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.”
They criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin’s use of food to secure EU sanctions relief in exchange for allowing Ukraine to ship grain to world markets through its ports.
“The European Council strongly condemns the destruction and misappropriation by Russia of agricultural production in Ukraine and calls for the creation of new land routes, in particular to the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas,” the draft decision says.
The publication notes that the draft declaration of the summit is tougher in its rhetoric than some member countries wanted.
VIDEO OF THE DAY
In particular, Italy, Hungary and Cyprus also pushed for an EU statement calling for an immediate ceasefire. But the latest drafts of the decision do not contain any mention of this against the backdrop of the resistance of Poland and the Baltic states over any concessions to Moscow.
The project places a strong emphasis on the criminality of Russia’s actions. “Russia, Belarus and all those responsible will be held accountable for their actions in accordance with international law,” the document says.
On the other hand, the draft does not say anything about delaying the EU with the adoption of the sixth sanctions package, blocked by Hungary due to oil issues.
At the same time, EU leaders plan to take an even tougher stance on circumventing sanctions and announce “the soonest abolition of the European Union’s dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal imports.”
They will also claim to improve “preparedness for possible major disruptions in supply and the resilience of the EU gas market” by accelerating “stock storage by next winter”.
The declaration also does not give Ukraine anything to understand about its official recognition as an EU candidate country. The leaders will simply “take note” of her application for membership and note that they will “return to this issue at the June meeting.”
Recall, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that the likelihood that Ukraine in the near future will become a candidate for membership in the European Union is low.