The two simultaneous wars in Ukraine and the Middle East that are burning the neighborhood of the European Union have monopolized the first day of the informal summit of European leaders that concludes this Thursday in Brussels.
Regarding the crisis in the Middle East, the heads of State and Government of the Twenty-seven have agreed to impose new sanctions against Iran for its unprecedented attack with 300 drones and missiles against Israel. The sanctions will affect the companies that manufacture this military material, as announced by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“We have to be very active diplomatically and dialogue with the countries in the region. Because the countries in the region know that Iran is a threat, not only to Israel, but to the stability in that region, as it has demonstrated with this attack. We must do everything possible to isolate Iran“Michel said.
[Irán exhibe en un desfile militar a su ejército en plena tensión con Israel: misiles, drones y tanques]
At the same time, the EU asks Benjamin Netanyahu's government to moderate its retaliation with the purpose of prevent a regional war from breaking out in the Middle East. “It is important for us that this moment is used now to reduce tension and that Israel also uses this success (of repelling Iran's attack) to strengthen its own position in the entire region and not respond with a massive attack of its own,” he said. said Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
European leaders have also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages still held by Hamas and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip. The EU further commits to promote a political solution that is based on the two-state solution.
European leaders, during the summit held in Brussels
Regarding Ukraine, the heads of State and Government have listened to the president's intervention by videoconference Volodymyr Zelenskywhich has asked them to urgently send anti-aircraft defense systems to repel the attacks of Vladimir Putin.
“Russia has already destroyed almost all of our thermal power generation. Dams and hydropower plant equipment, as well as gas infrastructure, are targets of terrorist attacks. Russia does not renounce radiological blackmail and, in particular, continues to brutally play with the security of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. “This can only be stopped by air defense,” Zelensky said.
European leaders have pledged to urgently send to Ukraine more Patriot air defense systems. “Member States that have these capabilities know that it is very important to supply more air defense systems, more ammunition,” Michel explained. The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrellhas said that there are around a hundred Patriot systems in Europe and that Ukraine would need only seven.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during his speech this Thursday at the European Council
Chancellor Scholz has announced that Germany will deliver a third Patriot system to kyiv and encourages its European partners to do the same. “The Russian war of aggression continues with great brutality and we know that we must do more than we are currently doing to support Ukraine. This is particularly true for all the capabilities needed for air defense,” she assures.
For its part, almost a hundred MEPs have signed a petition citing Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Greece as member states that have Patriot systems that they could give up to Ukraine.
