The Feb. 23 meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels includes on its agenda discussion of further action against “Russia’s War of Aggression” in Ukraine, and also the “Middle East.” On Feb. 20 EU foreign affairs minister Kaja Kallas stated: “We aim to adopt the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. Sanctions work, they are causing serious damage to the Russian economy, and each new measure further limits its ability to wage war.” She spoke at a press conference, where she was attending a meeting of the EU Five defense ministers—France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the U.K. On their agenda in Krakow, Poland was how to boost production of autonomous interceptor drones—a cheaper alternative to air defense missiles.
Reuters reported on Feb. 20 that it saw the language of a non-released statement from the Five, saying, “We agree to launch the Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) initiative.” Further, the objective of the group is “to increase our cooperation on the development and procurement of low-cost effectors and autonomous platforms to deliver military effect.”
Kallas also addressed support to Ukraine. “The EU is moving forward with a loan of €90 billion [for Ukraine] and the first funds are expected to be disbursed in April.” She denigrated the latest round of Russia-Ukraine talks, saying that in Geneva Russia showed it “is not backing down from its maximalist demands.” She repeated her signature themes, saying that the Russian army “is suffering record losses,” and hence Russia can be pressured “until the costs outweigh the benefits” and then Europe can triumph.
One scenario for the EU Monday meeting, is that Kallas et al., after inability to get the desired 27-nation approval for its loan to Ukraine, will move for a “qualified vote” of a small majority to pass the measure later in the week.
