EU must increase financial and military support for Ukraine, says MEP Kubilius

Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius has criticized the European Union for imposing financial and military aid restrictions on Ukraine, arguing that these limitations weaken both Ukrainian and European security.

Sep 17, 2024 - 21:00

EU must increase financial and military support for Ukraine, says MEP Kubilius

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European countries are not investing enough in Ukraine’s security. While providing the necessary weapons, EU states are establishing red lines that weaken not only Ukraine’s defense but also Europe’s security, and these restrictions should be removed, stated Lithuanian Member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius, according to UkrInform.

Despite Ukraine’s appeals to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles by Western partners to strike targets inside the Russian territory, the country’s allies, including the US and the UK, are limiting their utilization to allegedly avoid escalation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s infrastructure has been more destroyed, and more civilians have been killed or injured in Russian attacks.

Kubilius’ remarks were made at a plenary session in Strasbourg, where debates were held on extending financial and military support to Ukraine from the EU.

“Even when we provide weapons to Ukraine, we, or at least some of our countries, impose red lines and restrictions so that these weapons are not used against targets on Russian territory,” explained the deputy, calling for the removal of all red lines related to Ukraine’s security.

He also emphasized the need to seek additional financial resources for Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s defense.

“Last year, all Western military support for Ukraine amounted to only €40 billion, while the Russians spent over €120 billion on the war,” stressed the European People’s Party representative.

Kubilius also reiterated the official position of the European Commission, voiced by its president Ursula von der Leyen. According to it, the defense and security of Europe are directly linked to Ukraine’s security and are among the priorities of the new Commission.

“We must urgently find additional financial resources for military aid to Ukraine, and we can do this. We must increase our military industry’s production and integrate Ukrainian and European production,” noted the Lithuanian deputy.

Earlier, the US State Department confirmed that following the latest meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which support for Ukraine was discussed, the US policy on strikes deep into Russia remains unchanged.

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