EU prepares its own decision on military aid to Ukraine, meeting on Monday - Politico

European leaders praised the U.S. approval of a $60.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine. At the same time, some warned that Kyiv desperately needs additional support from Europe ahead of what they expect to be a brutal offensive by Russian troops in the coming months.

This was reported by Politico. According to the publication, before the weekend, European NATO allies promised to step up supplies of ready-made air defense systems to the Ukrainian forces.

"I welcome the fact that the US House of Representatives has approved a major new aid package for Ukraine. Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO allies to destroy Russia's combat capabilities. This makes all of us safer in Europe and North America," wrote Jens Stoltenberg, the North Atlantic Alliance's Secretary General, on social media.

For their part, some European leaders took advantage of the US vote to urge Europe not to be complacent and not to lose momentum now, while Kyiv is still waiting for new US support to arrive.

"I hope that this vote will encourage all allies to review their compositions and do more," said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström added that now is also the time to remember that the EU needs to increase its own production of weapons, ammunition and supplies to help Ukraine in the long term.

"Today's vote shows the need for this. We also have to do our homework," he added.

His Czech counterpart, Jan Lipavsky, echoed this sentiment, saying: "Europe must also do more. Our hesitation and indecision to effectively support Ukraine only encourages the Kremlin to further aggression, which costs even more lives."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock also welcomed the US legislative move, saying: "This is a day of optimism for Ukraine and European security."

According to Politico, a decisive test for Europe will take place on Monday, April 22, when 27 EU foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg to plan future military aid to Kyiv. It is planned that Ukraine's foreign and defense ministers will join the discussion virtually.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, European leaders called it a clear signal to the Kremlin that the US House of Representatives finally voted to continue providing assistance to Ukraine. Some politicians said that the European Union should also provide more assistance to Kyiv to fight the Russian occupiers.

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