Response from Brussels

“LoudnessKiev’s support message on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion is being sent today by the European Union with a new financial aid of 3.5 billion euros and sanctions against Moscow. At the same time, Emmanuel Macron will attempt to persuade Donald Trump tonight not to proceed with a hasty peace with Putin at the expense of Ukraine and Europe. Awaiting critical decisions on security and strengthening EU defense, which European leaders will be called upon to make at the Extraordinary European Council on March 6, Europe expects the winner of yesterday’s elections in Germany, Friedrich Mertz, immediately establishing a government.

Clear message from the EU to support Ukraine

Shortly before the crucial meeting of Emmanuel Macron with Donald Trump in Washington, the presidents of European institutions, accompanied by European leaders, sent a clear message of support to Ukraine and President Volodimir Zelenski.
While Commission President Ursula von der Laien announced a new € 3.5 billion “package” in Kiev, a down payment by the so -called Ukraine Facility Fund for funding for military equipment, Foreign Ministers of the EU, meeting today in Brussels, adopted the 16th package sanctions against Moscow. This includes, among other things, a ban on introducing Russian aluminum and access to European ports for 73 total ships of Russia’s “shadow fleet”, the “tool” of Moscow to bypass Western penalties in relation to oil.

In addition to a strong message to Kiev, Europeans will be called upon to make important decisions on two critical issues next week at the Extraordinary European Council convened by Antonio Costa yesterday for March 6: Ukraine’s security guarantees and strengthening European defense .

Expectations for immediate formation of government in Berlin

There are few chances of participating in the crucial council of the new Chancellor of Germany. The EU, however, does not hide its expectations of a direct government in Berlin in order to coordinate the moves of the “27” with the participation of the largest European economy.

“I am looking forward to working together with Friedrich Mertz to make Europe stronger, more prosperous and more autonomous,” was Antonio Costa’s message to the winner of yesterday’s elections, adding “these can be difficult times. But I know that, as in the past, the EU will do it and make it stronger. “

The same length was the statements by the head of European diplomat Kaya Calas, who is expected to go to Washington tomorrow for contacts with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“I expect closely cooperation with the new German government. The German people made their choice, “he said, adding that” now they have to set up a government and I hope they will do it as quickly as possible, because we have to really move on with decisions and at European level, which require German participation. “

European officials expect a strong leadership in Berlin and a more decisive stance than the new Chancellor, especially in terms of defense spending, as well as stronger support for Kiev in the forthcoming peace talks with the US and Russia.

In Brussels there is a restrained optimism that Mertz will actually proceed with his commitment to reform the so -called “brake debt”, which will allow Berlin to increase defense spending. His statements about the need for “US independence” did not go unnoticed, as Friedrich Mertz claimed, the new US administration is “quite indifferent” to Europe’s fate.