A new page in European history marks the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment from the European Union. As Ursula von der Leyen said, this will happen for the first time in history
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a radical overhaul of the logic of non-engagement or neutrality that has characterized many aspects of European foreign policy to date.
Even Germany, which has objected to sending weapons to Kiev, has finally approved the deployment of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and even Sweden has announced – for the first time since 1939 – that it will send military aid to Ukraine.
With military equipment, Kiev is Belgium, the Czech Republic and Portugal, where the Costa Socialist government has announced that it will provide defense equipment as well as weapons.
Greece today sent two C-130 transport planes loaded with defense equipment, responding to Ukraine’s request and in consultation with its NATO allies as well as its partners in the European Union. At the same time, large quantities of medical supplies and medical equipment were sent, from masks and gloves to defibrillators and oxygen delivery devices.
European countries that have announced military assistance to Kiev:
Germany: 1,000 anti-tank weapons, 500 Stinger missiles, 10,000 tons of fuel. Allows the Netherlands (400 anti-tank weapons) and Estonia (9 pieces of artillery) to promote German-made weapons.
France: Anti-aircraft systems, digital weapons, fuel
United Kingdom: 2,000 anti-tank missiles, plus vests, helmets and boots
Belgium: 2,000 machine guns and 3,800 tonnes of fuel
Netherlands: 200 Stinger missiles, weapons and helmets
Portugal: G3 rifles, grenades, ammunition, bulletproof vests, helmets, night-vision goggles, portable radios
Sweden: 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 bulletproof vests and 135,000 campaign meals.
Czech Republic: Thousands of machine guns, submachine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and ammunition worth a total of € 7.6 million
Greece: Defense equipment (and humanitarian aid)
Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia: US-made Javelin anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft guns, in consultation with the United States
Slovakia: Ammunition and fuel worth a total of € 11 million
Romania: Bulletproof vests, helmets
Bulgaria: Announces military and humanitarian aid without giving further details
Outside of Europe, the United States and Canada also provide military assistance. The Biden administration in the US has asked Congress for approval of $ 6.4 billion for the Ukrainian crisis, in addition to the assistance it has already offered.
Economic relations
The Russian invasion has affected the attitude of even historically neutral Switzerland. Although Central Europe is not a member of the EU or NATO and its banks receive large sums of money from wealthy Russians, Bern has largely aligned itself with the sanctions it has imposed to date by Brussels.
In particular, the government has banned the financial sector from opening new links (eg accounts) with Russians on the European “black list” and has requested that existing relationships with these individuals be reported to the Secretariat of Economic Affairs. Further measures are being considered, with local media reporting that the issue will be raised at the Federal Council meeting.
In another important development, BP announced that it will sell the 20% stake it holds in the shareholding of the Russian state oil giant Rosneft.
Countries that have provided various types of assistance include Italy, Spain, Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Israel.
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