António Costa admitted this Thursday, upon arrival at the European Council summit to be held in Brussels in the presence of the Ukrainian president, that Volodymyr Zelensky left everyone in awe.
“President Zelensky is a personality who impresses us with his courage and determination. We all thought that this war would soon end with a victory for Russia”he told journalists.
The Portuguese Prime Minister says Thursday will be marked by the opportunity to talk to the Ukrainian leader “about the military situation” so that the European Union knows how it can “help fight this very powerful enemy, namely Russia, and restore peace”.
An envisaged relief is the shipment of Leopard tanks next month, but the same will not happen with the F16 fighters. Costa says “these are not red lines”. “Our F16 fighters are all assigned to NATO missions,” he stressed.
“Since the beginning of the war, we have tried to help within our means. We have given immunity, equipment and military aid. There is a different kind of support, such as training and technical support, indirect support such as the delivery of 30 million euros to Poland for the reception of refugees”he added, noting that only Ukraine can define “the conditions for peace”. “It is the attacked country. This war was not caused by Ukraine, it was Russia”creased.
Portugal’s prime minister says the war is entering a “decisive phase” and that Zelensky will “pass on information to European leaders that he could not otherwise do in complete safety”. “It is essential that those who violate international law do not win”shot.
António Costa also said that the “European Union is preparing for Ukraine’s accession”. “It is essential that Ukraine meets the requirements and the EU is preparing to welcome a country the size of Ukraine. This must be a successful process. We must not disappoint the expectations raised”he concluded.
Source: DN
