EISSENHAUS (AP) — The European Union is giving Ukraine extra 500 million euros ($520 million) to acquire heavy weaponry in order to ward off a Russian invasion, the bloc's foreign affairs director said Friday at a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of Seven wealthy nations in Germany.
Despite reservations from some countries, Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, expressed optimism that the bloc's member countries would agree on an oil embargo against Russia soon.
"We will provide a new tranche of 500 million dollars to reinforce Ukraine's military," Borrell said ahead of the G-7 conference in Weissenhaus, Germany's Baltic Sea coast. He added that the cash would be used to buy heavy weapons, bringing the EU's total financial support for Ukraine to 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion).The meeting is also attended by senior officials from Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States. According to Borrell, they intend to increase the pressure on Russia through economic penalties, international isolation, and countering Russian disinformation.
On Monday, EU diplomats will meet to discuss a potential Russian oil embargo. Hungary has opposed the move due to its reliance on Russian supplies, but Borrell is optimistic."We're going to get this agreement," he declared.
"We must comprehend the unique conditions of each of the 27 member states," he continued. "However, if the ambassadors do not reach an agreement by Monday, the ministers will have to offer the political impetus when they meet for the Foreign Affairs Council."The importance of presenting a "unified front" during the G-7 summit, according to Borrell, was reiterated by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
"It's critical that we maintain the pressure on Vladimir Putin right now by delivering additional weaponry to Ukraine and strengthening sanctions," she said. "To safeguard freedom and democracy, G-7 solidarity is essential during this moment."One of the topics on the table at Weissenhaus is how to release millions of tons of grain locked in Ukraine, a key agricultural exporter, that is desperately required to alleviate global food shortages.
The meeting was open to guests, including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Moldovan counterpart, Nicu Popescu.
Security was provided by approximately 3,500 police officers stationed northeast of Hamburg.
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