The EU finances weapons to Ukraine; closes finances and airspace to Russia

Afp, Europe Press and Sputnik

Newspaper La Jornada
Monday, February 28, 2022, p. 3

Brussels. By increasing the pressure against Russia, the European Union (EU) decided yesterday to finance the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine for 450 million euros and reached a political agreement to block transactions of the Russian Central Bank, as well as to disconnect a series of banks from the Swift international payment system. In addition, it closed its airspace to Russian airlines and decided to ban the work of Russia Today (RT) and the Sputnik news agency in Europe.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that we are closing EU airspace to the Russians. We are going to propose a ban on all Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft..

Von der Leyen added that the measure means that our airspace will be closed to all Russian aircraft, including the private jets of the oligarchs.

He highlighted that for the first time, the EU will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and equipment to the country under attack.

Von der Leyen also mentioned the dismantling of the kremlin press machine in the EU, with the prohibition of RT and Sputnik operations, and said that it seeks to interrupt toxic and harmful disinformation in the block.

The EU also announced that it will adopt sanctions against the Belarusian government for having allowed its country to be used as a launching pad for the Russian offensive against Ukraine.

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, added that the EU will financially support countries in the bloc to send combat aircraft to Ukraine.

Before yesterday’s meeting of foreign ministers, Borrell said that he would propose financing the supply of lethal equipment such as ammunition, and also non-lethal equipment, such as fuel and urgent medical supplies, for the Ukrainian army with the European Fund for Peace.

The European Fund for Peace has 5 billion euros and is financed outside the EU budget with contributions from the member states for a period of seven years (2021-2027), with a single mechanism to solve all the actions of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the military and defense fields.

The United States approved for the first time the shipment to Ukraine of Stinger missiles, which are highly accurate and are used to shoot down helicopters and other aircraft. It was not specified how many missiles will be dispatched and if they are part of the aid announced last Friday.

In addition, the country will allocate almost 54 million dollars in new humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is focused on Ukraine’s urgent humanitarian needs as an important part of our response to Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack.

In addition, he praised the countries that welcome Ukrainians fleeing the war and added that the United States is diplomatically committed to support their efforts to keep their borders open and help those seeking international protection.

US humanitarian aid to Ukraine has totaled nearly $405 million since Russia invaded the former Soviet republic in 2014 and annexed the Crimean peninsula, according to the statement.

GB Humanitarian Aid

In the same tenor, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, reported a new shipment of humanitarian aid for 40 million pounds (about 48 million euros), which so far adds support to the Slavic country for 140 million pounds ( €167 million).

His Foreign Minister, Liz Truss, considered that the conflict could last several years and expressed his support for the British who wish to travel to Ukraine to fight.

Belgium has sent 3,000 machine guns and 200 anti-tank grenade launchers to Ukraine, reported the country’s president, Volodymir Zelensky, while Greece will send ammunition, assault rifles and missile launchers in response to a request from the Ukrainian government.

Japan joined Russia’s blockade of the Swift international financial messaging system, and Canada closed its airspace to Russia, which as of Monday cancels its flights to Europe.

Turkey officially recognized the state of war between Russia and Ukraine, which authorizes it, by virtue of the Montreux Convention of 1936, to limit the access of both belligerents to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, entrance to the Black Sea.

Protests against the Russian offensive in Ukraine continued yesterday. Tens of thousands demonstrated in the Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bilbao, San Sebastián, Vitoria, Valladolid and Alicante, with banners of peace and to the cry of Putin, murderer.

Similar demonstrations took place in Nice and Paris, as well as in Washington, New York and Baghdad. Hundreds of people also did at least 12 cities in Belarus, whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, is an ally of his Russian counterpart.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe called for a ceasefire and urged the international community to establish humanitarian corridors.