Borrell will ask to suspend the political dialogue with Israel in the face of the rejection of a handful of member states
BRUSSELS, Nov. 17 () –
The foreign ministers of the European Union will discuss this Monday how to take a step forward in long-term military support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, given the prospect of the United States faltering in military supplies and support to kyiv with the Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
In the first Foreign Affairs meeting since Trump won the elections, the 27 will deal with the new scenario that Washington could generate if it cuts military aid to Ukraine. “Whatever the new American administration brings, the EU must double its commitment to supporting Ukraine, especially in the military field,” indicated a senior EU official, regarding the need for the European bloc to work to cover the possible reduction of US support after the arrival of Trump and at a difficult time on the battlefield for the Ukrainian Army.
“We have heard different ideas from Washington and Trump’s entourage, we do not know yet and until January 20 there will be nothing concrete, but we must increase support,” he added. In Brussels they recognize that the situation on the ground is difficult, but they insist that the EU has to live up to its own words as it approaches 1,000 days of war and recognizes that Russian aggression is an existential threat to the bloc. .
In his recent trip to Ukraine, the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, already insisted that the EU must take a step forward and make decisions quickly to avoid uncertainty in the Ukrainian ranks. “We cannot be in a situation where the United States acts and the Europeans react. We have to take our own responsibility and assure Ukraine that our support will continue,” he said.
The ministers will also debate the future of the transatlantic link, at a time in which the new administration may strain trade relations or its treatment with China may become harsher, something that will also influence Europe.
SUSPEND POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH ISRAEL
The ministers will have on the table the High Representative’s proposal to suspend political dialogue with Israel, in view of the complaints of Human Rights violations in the offensive in Gaza, where 40,000 deaths have been recorded due to the Israeli response to the terrorist attacks in Hamas on October 7.
The initiative seeks to send a political message to Israel that the EU censures its actions in the Middle East region, where it has attacked Lebanon after launching a large-scale offensive against the Strip, and from European diplomacy they defend that Borrell has always advocated because “actions must have consequences.”
In any case, the debate is high-voltage and with little room for progress due to the refusal already expressed by a handful of member states, including Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. “We are not willing to suspend the association agreement and its elements. Yes, there is a problem with human rights and international law and we see it in this context, but we do not believe that a communication channel should be closed,” indicated one diplomatic source from one of the skeptical countries.
In this sense, critics regret that the proposal does not fix anything on the ground and only complicates already complicated relations with the Israeli authorities. “It would make it even more difficult to talk to the Israelis. And what we can do, and I know it has a limited effect, is to talk to the Israelis,” adds the source, while some criticize that the measure only sharpens the division between the 27 and It comes without the preparation and dialogue necessary for a decision of this magnitude.
Thus, some denounce that the measure is a “farewell gift” before what is probably Borrell’s last meeting with the foreign ministers before the former Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas succeeds him in office. As soon as the step was known, a diplomatic source criticized that it was a “completely outrageous” maneuver that came from a “totally lame duck”, in reference to the fact that Borrell is living his last days in office and has lost all authority.
NEW MEASURES AGAINST GEORGIA
The crisis in Georgia, after the legislative elections marked by irregularities, is another of the issues on the ministers’ menu. Faced with the demand of a sector of Member States that asks to take measures against Tbilisi due to the democratic drift in the country, such as the suspension of visa liberalization.
In any case, other Member States cool this scenario and point out that there is not the unanimity required to make decisions on Monday, although the ministers will debate next steps and one of the options weighed by the 27 is to limit diplomatic visas.
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