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EU Ministers to Discuss Closer Integration With Ukraine’s Defence Industry and Maritime Security
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

EU Ministers to Discuss Closer Integration With Ukraine’s Defence Industry and Maritime Security

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • EU defence ministers will meet informally in Wicklow, Ireland, to discuss support for Ukraine and maritime security.
  • Talks will cover closer integration with Ukrainian defence companies, a proposed EU loan of up to 60 billion euros over two years and the future of the EUMAM training mission.
  • Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden have urged renewed discussions on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, while Belgium remains concerned about legal risks.

European Union defence ministers will gather in Wicklow, south of Dublin, with Ukraine’s defence industry and maritime security at the centre of their discussions.

The informal meeting, at the Druids Glen hotel and golf complex, will bring together ministers to address current issues but will not produce formal decisions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will chair the session, which will also include Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles.

Ministers are expected to discuss closer industrial cooperation with Ukrainian defence companies that receive EU funding. They will also examine an EU loan of up to 60 billion euros over two years to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capacity, along with support delivered through the European Peace Facility. The future of EUMAM, the EU mission that advises and trains Ukrainian troops, is also due for a strategic review.

guarantee that Russia pays without delay for the destruction caused in Ukraine, while reducing the burden on our own taxpayers.

— Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and SwedenThe countries used this argument in a letter urging renewed debate on frozen Russian assets.

Maritime security will form another part of the agenda. The ministers are expected to address risks linked to Russia’s shadow fleet and disruptions in the Middle East. Space will also be discussed as a factor in European security and defence.

The meeting comes as Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden press Kallas to revive debate over frozen Russian assets. The four countries said using the assets could “guarantee that Russia pays without delay for the destruction caused in Ukraine, while reducing the burden on our own taxpayers.”

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has opposed using Russian assets frozen at Euroclear, where most of the funds are held. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said he would not oppose the idea if the EU found a principles-based approach that reduced the risks. EU governments previously reaffirmed that the assets should remain immobilized until Russia ends the war and voluntarily compensates Ukraine.

find a principles-based approach that reduces the risks.

— Maxime PrévotBelgium’s foreign minister described the condition under which he would not oppose using frozen Russian assets.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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