Germany condemns attacks, grants €150 million aid for Ukraine
Germany condemns Russia's attacks on Kyiv and announces a €150 million package for Ukraine under its "Ukraine Priority List" initiative.
The announcement was confirmed by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at a press conference in Berlin, held alongside his counterparts from the UK, France, Poland, and Italy, immediately following the Group of Five meeting.
"I discussed the matter with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte yesterday, and we agreed to contribute to a new support package worth a minimum of €150 million," Pistorius confirmed. "We are making significant progress on this Germany Ukraine aid commitment."
Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, stated that Ukraine will require additional funds next year. She argued that using frozen Russian assets represents the most efficient means of sustaining Ukraine's defense.
"Wars are lost by those who first run out of money or soldiers," Kallas emphasized. "That is why we continue to apply pressure on Russia through sanctions. Work is currently underway on the 20th sanctions package, and these measures are clearly more effective when enforced by all our international partners."
France also firmly reiterated its enduring support for Kyiv.
"Ukraine is at the front line of a war of aggression imposed by Russia," declared French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin. "Since the outset, it has been able to rely on constant and concrete European solidarity."
Vautrin added that President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to receive Mr. Zelensky in Paris on Monday, November 17. "Our ultimate objective is to compel Russia to return to good-faith peace negotiations."
The British Defence Minister, John Healey, issued a stark warning: threats to Europe are escalating. He cited drone incursions into Poland, Russian aircraft overflights above Estonia, and two recent invocations of Article 4 by NATO states as evidence.
"Russian aggression is on the rise," Healey stated. "The war in Ukraine continues to rage, and the US has rightly urged European defense spending to increase so countries can do more."
The "Group of Five" comprises Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland, with a representative from the European Union typically attending its meetings. The format was established amid growing concerns regarding a potential decline in US commitment to European security.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
