On Monday, the foreign ministers of the European Union held their first-ever meeting outside the bloc in Ukraine. This was a demonstration of support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. The meeting was prompted by the recent electoral victory of Robert Fico, who has a pro-Russian agenda and cast doubt on the EU’s continued support for Kyiv in EU member Slovakia. The meeting was an unannounced informal, attended by the foreign ministers of the majority of 27 EU member countries. However, the foreign ministers of Hungary and Poland were not at the Kyiv gathering.
Officials said the meeting would review the bloc’s support for Ukraine and discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s proposed peace formula.
“We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU. We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people,” High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President Josep Borrell posted on X. “Ukraine’s future lies within the EU.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he was proud to host the historic meeting: “For the first time in history, outside current EU borders. But also within its future borders. I am grateful to the European Union and personally to @JosepBorrellF for the unwavering EU support for Ukraine.”
EU stands with Ukraine
Several EU foreign ministers expressed the commitment of their countries to continue supporting Ukraine’s fight. Hungary and Poland were absent. Hungary is an openly pro-Russian country within the heart of Europe. Although offered exceptional support to Ukraine, Poland is ahead of the snap parliamentary elections on 15 October 2023, and the ruling party is deploying a populist campaign that includes the “grain” conflict with Kyiv.
Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, which will have the next presidency of G7, said Italy “will do its part”.
“Just arrived in #Kiev after an overnight train ride from Poland. Together with the other EU Foreign Ministers, we will follow up on the commitments made in defense of #Ucraina,” Tajani posted on X.
“Here in Kyiv, in #Ukraine , the heart of #Europa is beating particularly strongly. The future of #Ukraine lies in the European Union. In our community of freedom, which will stretch from Lisbon to Luhansk,” posted on social media Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna said the meeting is “A demonstration of our support for Ukraine 🇺🇦 against Russian aggression. A sign regarding Ukraine’s European future”.
Also, Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions, reiterated her country’s commitment.
“In Kyiv for a historic Foreign Affairs Council. Our message: unity and solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Their resilience, their desire to be part of the European Union are constant reminders of the importance of defending our common values!” she posted on X.
“I hope today’s meeting will dispel doubts about the seriousness of our support for Ukraine, send a crystal clear message that Europe is with Ukraine until its victory, and confirm this with real action. I believe that we can say that we are very seriously committed to the enlargement of the European Union and permanent military assistance to Kyiv,” said Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis.
“Finland will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes. With this visit to Kyiv, we are sending an important message of the EU’s unwavering long-term support to Ukraine,” assured Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen.
“Despite the ongoing war, we are working towards a just and lasting peace. We are seeking broad international support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula,” added Minister Valtonen.
Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, emphasised that “Slovenia continue to work towards establishing a lasting and just peace in Ukraine and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes”.
“Pleased to be in Kyiv. A powerful symbol to have the EU’s Foreign Ministers here to stand with the people of Ukraine,” said Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland. “We will discuss Ukraine’s EU pathway and ongoing supports. Ireland recently announced €23m in humanitarian aid, part of €210m in total support so far”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Luminița Odobescu, said the informal Foreign Affairs Council will send a strong political message of unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine and its people.
“Together we uphold the values of democracy, peace & freedom,” Odobescu posted on X.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that Europe should be prepared to offer additional aid “for many good reasons.”
“The rebuilding of Ukraine can’t wait till the war is over. Happy to announce that Denmark will open embassy office in #Mykolaiv this week. We’ve been given a special responsibility for the city and region – and we take it upon us,” Rasmussen posted on X.
“My message today: The #EU and its Members States are here in #Ukraine to support our friends, the Ukrainian people. We are going to discuss the various parameters for a comprehensive support strategy for Ukraine. Our position is a principled one; it stands for opposition to aggression, opposition to illegality. We are going to #StandWithUkraine for as long as it takes,” posted Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
Miroslav Wlachovsky, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, also participated in the meeting, whose country faces the risk of a next pro-Russian government.
“Truly historic moment! Today I’ve met w/ my #EU 🇪🇺 counterparts & #Ukrainian 🇺🇦 partners in #Kyiv for informal meeting of #EU Foreign Ministers. In a symbolic act of solidarity w/ #Ukraine, we discuss continued support for our neighbor, people of #Ukraine & Ukraine’s EU future,” Wlachovsky posted, expressing the views of the actual pro-EU government.
Will Slovakia’s new government bring tensions to the EU?
In the recent election in Slovakia, former Prime Minister Fico emerged as the top vote-getter. He now has the opportunity to form a government. He strongly advocated against sending ammunition from Slovakia’s reserves to Ukraine during his campaign. This stance could increase the tension among EU member states regarding Ukraine, as seen with Hungary’s approach towards Kyiv. Hungary has maintained a close relationship with Moscow and opposed any supply of arms or economic assistance to Ukraine.
During a news conference after his victory, Fico stated that Slovakia is willing to aid Ukraine in a humanitarian capacity but has reservations about supplying them with weapons. As a NATO member with a small border with Ukraine, Slovakia has already taken in refugees. It has been one of the first countries to send fighter jets under the previous government. The country is prepared to help with the reconstruction of the state, said Fico.
To form a government in Slovakia, Fico would need to create a coalition with at least one other party that doesn’t publicly share his stance on Ukraine. Hlas, a party founded in 2020 from a split in Fico’s party Smer and led by former prime minister Peter Pellegrini, is a potential partner.
If a pro-Russian government is established in Slovakia, it would likely align with Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who is an ally of Vladimir Putin and maintains relationships with various European far-right parties. Orbán congratulated Fico on his victory with a social media post.“Guess who’s back! Congratulations to Robert Fico on his undisputable victory at the Slovak parliamentary elections. Always good to work together with a patriot. Looking forward to it!”
