Weapons e munitions. Simple and direct. Here is the reason for the European tour of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. First Rome, Berlin, Paris and now London. Apart from the face to face with Pope Francis, whose conversation was obviously different, all the meetings with European leaders had the aim of reinforcing the alliance with the main European countries, but above all obtaining more armaments and fighter planes. Yet his plea for modern fighters remains unanswered. Nonetheless, Zelensky counts on having enough military aid to launch the counter-offensive. “A few more visits and it will be enough,” said the head of the Ukrainian resistance.
Tomorrow he will also be present at Council of Europe summit from Reykjavik (16 17-May), whose importance is demonstrated by the fact that it is just the fourth summit of the heads of state and government of the 46 members since the foundation of the institution (1949) which promotes peace, democracy, rule of law, defense of fundamental rights. And among the topics that will obviously be addressed there is the war in Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen: “Full support for Zelensky's peace plan"
"The summit will discuss how to make Russia responsible for the war in Ukraine and the EU will promote the establishment of a register on the damage caused by Moscow during the conflict". This was stated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen – in the press conference together with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on forthcoming international commitments – adding that she is in favor of a specific court to deal with crimes of aggression, "we will also create a register of damages.", explained the president of the Commission .
“I expect leaders to rally behind this, I also expect leaders to rally behind my core principles. The first is that we will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary. And the second principle is that nothing should be done about Ukraine without Ukraine and it means strong support for the peace plan of President Volodymyr Zelensky. A commitment that will be reaffirmed at the G7”, concluded von der Leyen.
But what did Zelensky get out of his European tour? Lots more weapons.
The meeting with Sunak: the United Kingdom will send missiles and combat drones
the British prime minister Rishi sunak confirmed to the Ukrainian leader the further supply by the United Kingdom "of hundreds of air defense missiles and additional unmanned aerial systems, including hundreds of new long-range attack drones with a range of over 200 km". The announcement comes from a press release from Downing Street. "These will all be delivered in the coming months as Ukraine prepares to step up its resistance to the ongoing Russian invasion."
The meeting with Scholz: new 2,7 billion military aid package
In Berlin, "the second most generous taxpayer in the world after the US", Zelensky asked for Germany's participation in the "fighter coalition" to win against Putin, with the promise that Ukraine will not attack Russian territory. But the German Chancellor Scholz, who reiterated his full support for his guest "until it is necessary", did not go too far on what represents one of the most complex and delicate issues of the war on Europe's gates and confirmed a new aid package for Ukraine. Inside we find tanks, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft defense systems, as well as a large amount of ammunition.
The meeting with Macron: Paris will send light tanks
Zelensky had arrived in France on Sunday evening for an interview with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron which resulted in France's commitment to provide further military aid to Ukraine, including light tanks, armored vehicles and training for soldiers. “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs,” reads a joint statement released after the bilateral meeting. Paris is also focusing its "efforts to support Ukraine's air defense capabilities."
After the bilateral meeting, the transalpine president and Zelensky asked new sanctions against Russia.
Zelensky continues the European tour: the Chinese mission starts
While Zelensky goes on her European tour, she left there mission of the representative Chinese special Li Hui in Ukraine and in four other countries to seek a "solution to the conflict". The former ambassador to Moscow will also visit Russia, Poland, France and Germany. The trip "expresses China's commitment to promote peace and negotiations," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
