While several countries vowed their long-term support for Ukraine during the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Tuesday, March 19, the president of the European Council cautioned that the continent should not take support from other countries for granted.
Instead, Charles Michel wrote on X that Europe must be “defense ready” and “match the urgency of the threat,” Knewz.com has learned.
“We can no longer count on others or be at the mercy of election cycles. A stronger EU will also contribute to a stronger NATO alliance and enhance our collective defense,” Charles Michel wrote on X, which was included in an op-ed printed in several newspapers in Europe.
“If we do not get the EU’s response right and do not give Ukraine enough support to stop Russia, we are next,” he added, according to Newsweek. “If we want peace, we must prepare for war.”
Michel noted that Russia President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine changed the post-World War II world order, adding that “the EU also has to change fast with it.”
“It is now clear that Russia will not stop in Ukraine, just as it did not stop in Crimea 10 years ago,” Michel said, adding that Moscow was “destabilizing” other countries in the region.
Many world leaders have suggested that Russia will attack NATO nations if it defeats Ukraine. In response, NATO has deployed troops and has engaged in wargames.
Putin said during his speech following a resounding victory in the presidential election that war with the West was possible.
“I think anything is possible in today’s world and it’s clear to everyone that this would be one step from a full-scale World War III,” he said, referring to the possibility of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Therefore, Michel said the EU should prepare as if “we are next.”
“We must therefore be defense-ready and shift to a ‘war economy’ mode,” he said.
Ukraine Solidarity
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was among the leaders who reaffirmed their countries’ pledge to help Ukraine defeat Russia during the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
“The Ukrainian people will not let Putin prevail,” Austin said. “And neither will we.”
The U.S. recently approved $300 million in aid for Ukraine as a large package is in flux in Congress. Austin vowed to keep the support coming while meeting with leaders from more than 50 other countries.
“Today, we are fully determined to keep U.S. security assistance and ammunition flowing to Ukraine,” Austin wrote on X. “It’s a matter of survival for Ukraine. And it’s a matter of security for America.”
Michel also vowed long-term support for Ukraine.
“In this critical moment on the battlefield, we must speed up our military assistance to the brave Ukrainian people. We’re at their side and will always be,” he wrote on X. “Impressed by Ukraine’s commitment to reform, despite Russia’s war of aggression.”
Austin also said at the meeting that the stakes are as high as they’ve ever been.
“Our allies and partners are here because they understand the stakes,” the secretary said. “And Ukraine’s friends continue to come up with innovative solutions to make key, new commitments to provide Ukraine with urgently needed capabilities — especially air defense, armor and artillery ammunition.”
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Author: David Wetzel
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