Ukraine, after US funds release it’s EU’s turn to accommodate Zelensky. Borrell: “On Patriots, member states decide”

Brussels – The moment is a crucial one; in the words of Josep Borrell, there is a “clear sense of urgency.” The green light from the US Congress for 60.8 billion for Ukraine can lift the fortunes of the conflict with Moscow, provided the EU also raises the bar for its military support to Kyiv. The most crucial issue revolves around anti-aircraft defence systems repeatedly demanded by President Zelensky. But “in Brussels, there are no Patriots; they are in the capitals,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs summarised, “it is up to them to make the decision.”

In response to the Ukrainian president’s call, Borrell convened the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the “Jumbo” format, with the participation of the defence ministers of the 27 countries and with Kyiv’s counterparts, who updated the Council on the situation on the ground. “The numbers are frightening,” Borrell commented. Russia has stepped up attacks with missiles, drones, and guided bombs. Of the latter, Ukraine has counted “7,000 in four months, which means 60 per day.”

To fend off Russian aggression, Zelensky insisted on the need to receive 25 more Patriot systems in addition to those already sent in recent months by Washington and Berlin. With the release of funding for Kyiv, the Pentagon has already let it be known that it is ready to send the first war supply in a matter of days: new artillery pieces, including 155 mm ammunition, and precisely air defence systems. On April 13, German Chancellor Olof Scholz also announced that he would provide Kyiv a new Patriot battery to Kyiv. “I am pleased that some member states have expressed willingness to contribute to or support initiatives already underway,” Borrell said on the sidelines of the meeting, referring precisely to the German initiative on Patriots and that of the Czech Republic to purchase ammunition for Ukraine.

The head of European diplomacy clarified that Brussels can only “set the bar very high” because decisions are up to individual member states. The ministers “have returned to the capitals with a clear understanding of the needs, and I am sure they will make decisions,” he assured. Italy, which together with France had sent the Samp-T anti-aircraft defence system (of Italian-French production) to Kyiv, “will do everything possible to help Ukraine and to give the answers also through the instruments we have,” assured Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. However, just as Rome does not want to leave its national territory unprotected and especially cannot deprive itself of the systems placed to protect the G7, other capitals are also wavering. According to a report from the Financial Times, Madrid and Athens have more than a dozen Patriot systems, but the Greek government spokesman has made it clear that “no action will be taken that would even remotely endanger our nation’s deterrence or air defence capabilities.”