EU defence ministers argue over use of weapons in Russia

The defense ministers' meeting in Brussels is about more investment in European defense capabilities. But the focus is on Ukraine's capabilities – and thus also the ability to combat Russian attacks wherever they are launched.

The two-day meeting of European foreign and security officials has been the place for open discussion in the “Gymnich format” for 50 years. The discussions are completely undiplomatic and direct – behind closed doors. But this Friday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is so concerned about a topic that he is publicly abandoning all reservations even before the confidential talks between the defense ministers: “Ridiculous” is the opinion that if Ukraine attacks military targets in Russia with Western weapons, the West is also at war with Moscow. This also goes in the direction of German reservations.

Borrell is apparently still under the impression of the reports of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in the ministerial meeting the day before. Kuleba provided “precise information” about the “most serious attacks since the beginning of the war” with hundreds of combat drones and missiles on Monday, which caused serious damage to the Ukrainian power supply. Putin wants to bomb Ukraine into the dark and cold in winter. For Kuleba, it is clear how his country can defend itself effectively: by attacking the airfields in Russia from which Russia launches its attacks on American cities.

But so far, the permission to use Western weapons against targets in Russia has only been valid for the Kharkiv region. The state of war came about after the Western states were no longer willing to accept Russia's constant destruction of the Ukrainian border region from its own territory, while the Ukrainians were unable to defend themselves. The attacks stopped suddenly after Ukraine was allowed to open fire on Russian positions. Now Kiev is demanding that the attack be extended to the whole of Russia.

Relaxation of restrictions

“We have no restrictions in miles or kilometers,” stressed Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch Defense Minister, at the meeting in Brussels on Friday. When it comes to self-defense and military targets, such use of weapons is in accordance with international law. Pal Jonson, the Swedish Defense Minister, also stated his country's position: “Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russian aggression, whether inside or outside its own country.”

Borrell added that strengthening or loosening restrictions is not a European matter. Each member state must decide for itself whether to supply long-range weapons systems and how to determine their use by Ukraine. At the same time, however, he repeatedly stressed how “ridiculous” he considers the argument that attacking targets inside Russia means being involved in a war against Moscow. “We support Ukraine. Ukraine is being attacked from Russian territory. In accordance with international law, Ukraine can attack the places from which it is being attacked.”

Borrell also announced that the scope of the training mission would be expanded to 70,000. A proposal by France to train the EU military forces there on Ukrainian soil is also being discussed. However, opinions on this are very divided. Some prefer that the trainers receive training exclusively in the EU, and not just for security reasons. The trainees would also be able to concentrate better on the material if they did not have to worry about constant Russian attacks.

Nevertheless, there is to be an EU presence in terms of training missions. Only in Kiev itself and focused on better coordination with the American armed forces. In its current inventory of aid from the EU, the group states that 55 percent of the one million rounds of artillery ammunition promised (up to March) have now been delivered. EU aid now amounts to 100 billion, of which 43.5 billion is for military equipment.

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