This and Germany’s earlier announcement that it would nearly triple its defense budget for the year this year highlighted how Russia’s invasion invading Ukraine was rewriting Europe’s post-World War II security policy and defense policy in ways that were impossible just a few weeks back.
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, said that 27 EU foreign ministers had approved unprecedented support for Ukraine. He added that these actions would be in effect in a matter of hours.
Borrell stated that he had made a decision to offer lethal arms and lethal assistance to the Ukrainian army at a cost of 450 million euros ($502million)… and 50 million dollars ($56million) for non-lethal fuel, supplies, and protective equipment.
Borrell stated that EU defense ministers will be discussing Monday how to turn the funds into military material and ensure it reaches the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He stated that Poland had agreed to be a hub for the distribution of arms and equipment.
EU ministers also agreed that several additional people and organizations would be added to the growing list of sanctions. Borrell stated that Russian oligarchs, whose money is vital for Russia’s economy, were included in the list. Other key officials, including those who spread disinformation, are also included. Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister, have had their assets frozen in Europe.
Germany’s leader also announced that 100 billion euros ($113billion) would be committed to a special armed forces fund. This will allow the country to keep its defense spending at 2% of GDP, which is NATO’s goal.
Anti-war protesters took to the streets of Berlin, Prague, Istanbul, Istanbul, and other cities — including in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and a dozen Belarusian towns — to demand an end the war, which was the biggest ground offensive on the continent since WWII.
According to OVD-Info, at least 2,063 Russians were detained in 48 Russian cities on Sunday for protests against war. Human rights advocates claimed that more than 170 people were arrested during the Belarusian demonstrations. A large pile of flowers grew in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Minsk.
Tens of thousands of people gathered Sunday at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Some were carrying slogans like “Hands Off Ukraine”, “Tanks to Windmills”, and “Putin go to therapy” to leave Ukraine and the rest of the world in peace.
The EU’s funding plan for weapons would allow Ukraine to purchase anti-tank weapons and ammunition, as well as air defense systems. It could also provide fuel, protective gear and first aid kits.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that Russia would not be allowed to use European airspace if they don’t buy weapons.
“We propose a ban on all Russian-owned and registered Russian-controlled aircraft. She stated that these aircraft would no longer be allowed to land on, take off or fly over the EU’s territory.
She stated that the EU would also ban “the Kremlin’s media machine.” Russia Today, Sputnik and their subsidiaries will not be able anymore to spread lies to justify Putin’s war and sow division within our union.
Von der Leyen stated that the EU would also target Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus president, for his support of Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.
She stated that she would hit Lukashenko’s government with a new set of sanctions.
The announcement by Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, of new defense funding for Germany is hugely important. Germany has been criticised by the United States and NATO allies for failing to invest adequately in its defense budget.
Scholz stated that it was clear that we must invest significantly more in security in our country to preserve our freedoms and democracy.
Scholz stated that the 100 billion euro ($113 billion) fund was a temporary measure until 2022. Scholz said that Germany would exceed the 2% threshold in GDP going forward, which signals an overall increase in defense spending.
Germany had announced a major policy shift a day earlier. It will now send weapons and supplies directly to Ukraine. This includes 500 Stinger missiles that can be used to shoot down warplanes and helicopters. There are also 1,000 anti-tank weapons.
Israel said it would send 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medical equipment, medicine, tents and sleeping bags, blankets and tents. During a telephone call between Naftali Bennett, Israeli Prime Minister, and Putin the Kremlin and Israel suggested that Israel could be a mediator. Bennett also spoke with Volodymyr Zelenskyy (a Ukrainian president who is Jewish) on Friday.
Turkey’s officials called Russia’s invasion of Greece a “war” as they sent more military aid to Greece. This categorization could cause Ankara, which Ukraine requested earlier in the week, to close down Turkish straits to Russian warships. The 1936 Montreux Convention allows Turkey to prohibit “belligerent” states from using the Dardanelles or the Bosporus in wartime, but gives an exception for Black Sea vessels returning to port.
Japan joined the United States, Europe and other nations to remove key Russian banks from SWIFT’s international financial banking system. Japan will also block assets of Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials. It will also send $100 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishhida stated to reporters.
In the meantime, Orthodox and Catholic religious leaders prayed for peace Sunday, expressed solidarity with Ukrainians, and condemned the Russian invasion.
As Pope Francis gave his weekly Sunday blessing, the Vatican saw Ukrainian flags fly in St. Peter’s Square. He appealed to global solidarity for “the people of Ukraine that are suffering.”
Francis stated, “Those who make war forget about humanity.” In apparent deference to his desire to keep dialogue open with Russia’s Orthodox Church, he did not name Russia.
Sunday also saw the EcumenicalPatriarch of Constantinople describe Russia’s invasion of Constantinople as “beyond any sense of law or morality” and plead for an end of the conflict.
Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians around the world, is widely regarded as being first among equals. He gave the Orthodox Church of Ukraine independence. It was then separated from the Russian Orthodox Church, to which it was tied since 1686. As a result, the Russian Orthodox Church cut all ties with him.
