European summit in Britain - Selenskyj will launching of Russian rockets by allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the European summit in Britain to reiterate his call for greater support in countering Russian air attacks. At the meeting of nearly 50 state and government leaders in Oxford, he urged Western allies to shoot down Russian rockets and drones over Ukraine using their own resources. "There must be a collective will to do this, just as it was with Iranian rockets and drones (in Israel)", he said.
Zelenskyy stressed that, in his view, this would not constitute an attack on Russia. Rockets and drones were not carriers of state sovereignty. "These steps must be taken", Zelenskyy said and directly addressed the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Poland. "Your courage can be decisive for peace." In April, an Iranian large-scale attack of over 300 rockets and drones on Israel was also repelled with the help of American, British, and French combat jets and air defense systems.
Stoltenberg has rejected intercepting Rockets
Poland proposed such a move by NATO allies in response to Ukrainian initiatives for intercepting Russian rockets over Western Ukraine. However, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejected this. "We will not become a party to the conflict. Therefore, we will support Ukraine in destroying Russian aircraft, but NATO will not be directly involved", the Norwegian emphasized last week.
Even German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who attended the summit, opposes such a move. He also rejects further relaxation of the rules of engagement for the use of Western weapons provided to Ukraine. Zelenskyy confirmed at the summit that he would target military airfields on Russian territory with missile bases from which Ukraine is attacked. "The fewer restrictions we have for the use of weapons, the more peace Russia will seek", Zelenskyy warned.
British Foreign Minister against conditions for weapons use
Zelenskyy received support from British Foreign Minister David Lammy. "It is important that Ukraine makes its own decisions about its operations during this war and that its young men and women are at the front", the Labour politician told the German Press Agency in response to a question about whether he would support a general lifting of restrictions on the use of Western weapons.
The USA, Germany, and other allies granted Ukraine permission in late May to attack defensive positions on Russian territory to protect the metropolis of Kharkiv. However, Scholz does not want to go further. "No one is changing the previous guidelines and regulations - for good reasons", Scholz said at the conclusion of the NATO summit.
Russia and Belarus not present
The European Political Community (EPC) summit takes place at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, near the famous university city of Oxford. In this informal group, the 27 European Union countries and other European countries came together two years ago - shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine - to share common values. Russia and Belarus are not part of this. They remain excluded from the fourth such gathering.
Just as during previous summits, the Russian offensive war was the dominant theme. At the summit, Ukraine signed additional security accords with the Czech Republic and Slovenia, valid for ten years. Such agreements had already been signed by the attacked country with nearly two dozen states, including Germany, and the EU. They primarily serve to reinforce previously granted military and financial aid, but they do not provide security guarantees.
Starmer's summit host after two weeks in office
The host, the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pledged lasting support to Ukraine. "You have no doubts: We will be with you as long as it is necessary," he said to Zelensky.
For Starmer, who was elected just over two weeks ago, this was the second opportunity to prove himself on a large international stage after the NATO summit. He is keen to repair the relationship with European partners in the wake of Brexit. The talk is of a new start in the relationship with Europe.
Orban advocates for peace negotiations
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who recently caused unease among EU partners with his trips to Moscow and Beijing, continued his advocacy for peace negotiations at the summit. "I believe there is no solution to this conflict on the battlefield," he said.
Scholz reiterated that Orban had traveled to Russia and China on his own account. "When a head of government of his country travels to other countries, that's okay. But then he does not represent the European Union."
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Iranian rockets and drones in Israel during his call for Western allies to intervene in Russian air attacks on Ukraine.
- Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary-General, rejected the proposal to intercept Russian rockets over Western Ukraine, citing the need to avoid becoming a party to the conflict.
- Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes further relaxation of the rules of engagement for the use of Western weapons provided to Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy confirmed at the summit that he would target military airfields on Russian territory with missiles if there were fewer restrictions on the use of weapons.
- David Lammy, the British Foreign Minister, supported Ukraine's right to make its own decisions about operations during the war.
- Ukraine was granted permission by the USA, Germany, and other allies to attack defensive positions on Russian territory to protect Kharkiv in late May.
- Russia and Belarus remain excluded from the European Political Community (EPC) summit, despite being attended by 27 European Union countries and other European nations.
- Ukraine signed additional security accords with the Czech Republic and Slovenia at the summit, which reinforce previously granted military and financial aid but do not provide security guarantees.
- Keir Starmer, the new British Prime Minister, pledged lasting support to Ukraine during the summit, emphasizing the need for a new start in the relationship with Europe after Brexit.
- Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, advocated for peace negotiations during the summit, stating that he believes there is no solution to the conflict on the battlefield.
- Scholz reaffirmed that Orban's trips to Russia and China were not representative of the European Union, stressing that each head of government represents their own country.
