Support for Ukraine, European defense strategy and industry, the latest developments in Gaza and enlargement are expected to be the main topics of the European Council’s regular Spring Summit today and tomorrow in Brussels.

Greece, government officials emphasize, as one of the EU and NATO member states with the highest per capita defense spending rates in the Alliance has a weighty reason.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has already positioned himself for it need for common ground in EU defense procurement and for joint efforts aimed at strengthening the European defense industry.

As he has pointed out, moreover, Europe needs to find a way to spend more intelligently on defence.

In this context, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to emphasize that the EU must find a way for joint supplies of defense material to Ukraine with compensation to the member states for defense material of European origin.

Regarding the participation of third countries in defense support of UkraineGreece’s position is that this should be done through the schemes that have already been established, provided that third countries do not circumvent the sanctions against Russia, as government sources emphasize.

At the same time, the prime minister is expected to repeat that the forecast is in the right direction new budget rules to exempt defense spending during the excessive deficit calculation process. However, as suggested by competent government sources, he is expected to emphasize that this forecast is not enough, nor is it ambitious in relation to what needs to be done in European defense.

In fact, Mr. Mitsotakis is expected to underline that there should be a serious discussion on how these funds will be found, that is, how European defense will be financed at a time when EU member states are required to proceed with investments in various fields .

Regarding the Ukraine, Greece’s stable position is the continuation of its support as government sources emphasize. In this context, the prime minister is going to inform his counterparts about his recent visit to Odessa, about his discussions with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, but also about the importance of the Ukrainian South, with the Ukrainian sea corridor for export at the forefront goods. In addition, he will inform about the missile attack during his stay in Odessa.

Regarding the latest developments in Gaza, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will reiterate the growing concern of the Greek side about the large civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as government sources point out. It is also expected to underline the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the opening of all avenues for the provision of humanitarian aid in order to relieve the innocents suffering in Gaza.

Finally, he is going to emphasize that it is important to prevent further destabilization of the wider region and he will repeat that Greece is ready to contribute to any effort that will lead to the achievement of regional stability.