Polish FM: Major EU countries ready to step up support for Ukraine amid US aid reductions

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has said that the biggest EU countries agreed to shoulder the burden of military and financial support for Ukraine amid potential reductions in US assistance. 

Sikorski made this statement following a "Weimar Triangle Plus" meeting in Warsaw with his counterparts from several European countries, which includes Poland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.  

“Together with Estonian candidate for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, we discussed ways to increase our support for Ukraine. I am pleased to acknowledge the readiness of the biggest EU member states to take on the responsibility for Ukraine’s military and financial support, especially amid the potential reduction in US involvement,” he noted.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed reporters in Brussels regarding recent reports suggesting the US might authorize the use of ATACMS missiles for strikes against Russia.

He emphasised that the alliance has always advocated for no restrictions on the weapons which are supplied to Ukraine. 

“NATO has consistently stated that when allies supply weapons systems to Ukraine, it is better not to impose restrictions on their use,” Rutte said. 

He also pointed out that final decisions on such matters should be made by each NATO member state individually, based on its own considerations for arms transfers.

At the same time, Rutte noted that in terms of the types of weapons being provided to Ukraine and the conditions surrounding their use, “it’s better not to discuss too much about what we are doing.”

Earlier, US President Joe Biden authorised the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukrainian forces to strike Russian territory.

The lifting of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons for strikes deep into Russia was also confirmed by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

However, US authorities have not made any official statements explicitly confirming the removal of these restrictions.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that if the reports are true, allowing Ukraine to carry out strikes on Russian territory with American weapons would mark a significant escalation in tensions and a deeper level of US involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.

By Naila Huseynova