While Russia benefits from the escalation in the Middle East, the EU believes that even greater pressure must be exerted on Moscow to force it into negotiations on a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, while at the same time calling on all parties to the conflict around Iran to exercise maximum restraint.
This was stated by President of the European Council António Costa, who spoke on Tuesday at the annual conference of EU ambassadors in Brussels.
“At the moment, there is only one winner in this war – Russia. It is constantly undermining Ukraine’s position, ignoring international law. It is gaining new resources to finance the war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It is profiting from the redirection of military capabilities that might otherwise be used to support Ukraine. And it is benefiting from the reduced attention to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East moves to the forefront,” Costa said.
Recalling that Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has been ongoing for more than four years, he stressed that it is a gross violation of the Charter of the United Nations and a turning point for the European Union.
“From the very first day, the European Union has firmly supported Ukraine on all fronts: financially, politically, diplomatically, in terms of security and reconstruction,” Costa noted.
He emphasized that in December the European Council approved a joint loan of €90 billion, backed by the EU budget, to cover Ukraine’s financial needs over the next two years.
“And we will fulfill this commitment undertaken by all leaders,” Costa said.
The President of the European Council called for continued pressure on Russia to make it agree to a just and lasting peace “that will be acceptable to Ukraine and that will not undermine Europe’s security.”
“I hope that tomorrow we will approve the extension of the existing sanctions and adopt the next package,” Costa expressed hope.
Commenting on developments in the Middle East, the President of the European Council said that the European Union calls on all parties involved “to exercise maximum restraint and return to the negotiating table.”
Emphasizing support for the right of Iranians to determine their future and the belief that their rights and human freedoms must be fully respected, Costa said that “freedom and human rights cannot be achieved with bombs.”
“Only international law can uphold them. Protecting civilians, ensuring nuclear safety, and respecting international law are of crucial importance. We must avoid further escalation that threatens the Middle East, Europe, and other regions. The consequences are serious, particularly in the economic sphere, as demonstrated by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” he warned.
