Italian
“Yes” to supporting Kiev
Brussels. “We live in critical and dangerous times, the security of Europe is seriously threatened“ this is how the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, defined the extremely difficult historical moment to which Europe is called to respond.
Yesterday, at the headquarters of the European Commission, the 27 EU Member States gave the green light to the 5-point plan presented by President Ursula von der Leyen.
“ReArm” is the approved proposal from late last night that foresees 800 billion for rearmament. The Union frees up 650 billion in funds from Stability Pact constraints that can be used by various countries for defense expenses, in addition to a new 150 billion bond fund issued by the Commission to grant loans to individual Union countries.
The Peace Plan
Out of the 27 countries, only Hungary under Orban did not approve the principles discussed during the extraordinary meeting for peace, which include the sovereignty of Kiev, more military aid, Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations, and the need for “solid and credible security guarantees” for Kiev and the Union.
The 5 points on rearmament
All 27 countries have approved the plan for rearmament. An acceleration
not taken for granted on the dossier concerning European rearmament.
The 5 points concern: safeguard clauses, defense expenses are not subject to Stability Pact constraints.
Eurobonds will be issued for 150 billion so that the various countries can strengthen their defense.
The EU budget will be flexible on the commitment of cohesion funds.
The European Investment Bank will be committed to financing “dual use” projects for military facilities, eventually private capital could also be used.
Unit 27
“Today is an important day for European defense and Ukraine,” underlines the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, who manages to secure unanimity among the 27 votes to approve an addendum to the defense plan conclusions. The 26 European leaders choose to isolate Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, who is left alone in opposing support for Ukraine.
In support of Ukraine
On the financial front, Kiev is assured 30.6 billion euros by 2025, with a request to increase resources for the European Peace Facility. In addition, EU heads of state and government are willing to “urgently intensify” efforts to respond to Ukraine’s urgent military and defense needs.
For the future, the European Union declares its readiness to work towards those ‘security guarantees’ to be achieved mainly from a post-negotiation and peace perspective.
Meloni’s position
At a press point at the end of the EU summit, Giorgia Meloni declared: “We have fought to exclude the possibility that cohesion funds would be forcibly diverted to defense spending. A clause remains that provides for voluntary action: nations that wish to do so can, we cannot prevent others from making this choice. But Italy does not intend to do so, and I will propose to Parliament to make it clear from the outset that Italy does not intend to divert cohesion funds, which are very important for us, to the purchase of weapons. It will be a decision that we will make together with Parliament“.
The Prime Minister Meloni reiterated her opposition to sending European troops to Ukraine. She also reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to a US-EU summit.
