The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated that the foreign ministers of EU member states discussed lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of NATO-supplied weapons to attack inside Russian territory during their meeting on May 27.
In a press conference, Borrell said, “We discussed providing more air defense systems, particularly Patriot systems, and lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons to attack Russian territory. This is an increasingly prominent debate.”
Borrell emphasized that the EU understands Ukraine’s need to counter Russian attacks.
He stated, “Some member countries have lifted restrictions on Ukraine so that Kyiv can use Western weapons against Russian territory.”
Previously, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had proposed that member countries consider allowing Ukraine to target military sites within Russia.
Russia criticized this statement, warning of potential consequences if the West escalates tensions.
In another development, Bloomberg reported that the EU is considering organizing a meeting on the peace situation in Ukraine, potentially involving Russia, in the fall. This meeting could take place in Saudi Arabia, following a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland.
The peace summit is scheduled for June 15-16, with 80 countries confirmed to attend.
The summit will focus on Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula, a plan first outlined by President Volodymyr Zelensky in the fall of 2022, calling for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Russia has rejected this formula, calling it an “ultimatum.”
While Russia will not attend the summit, the host country, Switzerland, has indicated that Moscow’s representatives will need to engage in the process “sooner or later.” Kyiv has warned that Russia is attempting to undermine the summit.
Bloomberg also reported that U.S. President Joe Biden is unlikely to attend the summit due to a campaign fundraising event, and China has not yet confirmed its participation.
On May 26, Zelensky urged Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to “show their leadership in promoting peace” by personally attending the upcoming summit.
