EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine | DW News

As Russia's invasion continues, EU leaders have pledged more financial assistance and said further sanctions against Russia were in the works.

Europe has earmarked another €500 million ($550 million) for military aid to Ukraine, the President of the European Council Charles Michel said.He spoke at the end of the meeting of EU leaders at Versailles in France. The money will be on top of the €500 million the EU has already committed to support Ukraine.

At the same event, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe would impose a fourth round of sanctions on Russia and President Vladimir Putin soon.

She also said Ukraine's application for EU membership was being considered favorably, adding that the country is already "a member of the European family."

"Ukraine's membership application is an expression of their will and their right to choose their own destiny. Today we have opened the pathway towards us for Ukraine," she added.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU would hold an extraordinary summit by May to discuss joint defense investments in the block.

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[aaronalegria]

It took a war for Europeans to care about their defense.

[mintodan]

EU leaders do it please, and do it fast as thousands of Ukrainians are dying. Thank you.

[ralphdavis]

While putin hides in his palace, Zalensky stands in the open in Kyiv. Long live Ukraine.

[FabricatorFactory]

Time for world leaders to grow a set and make the world a better place.

[mariagibbons]

When are they going to equip them with the artillery/airplanes they need? They do not need your promises, your sanctions, your rethoric…they are willing to fight the aggressor on their own, you can sit and watch how they do it and win the battles ahead, but send the help they need!

[guardian]

Actions are louder than words. Talk is cheap.

[bsmithhammer]

"No one thought this sort of military aggression was possible?" REALLY? It never occurred to anyone that getting the EU addicted to Russian oil and gas was all part of a larger plan? Well that's a spectacular failure of imagination, my friends.

[borisjambresic]

This measures and decisions are excellent, but in every moment people are dying and dignity of every life there is obstructed. Consciousness of every soul in Ukraine and wider is irreparably traumatized.

[thadlm]

The entire time I was stationed with the US Army in Germany, a lot of Germans would say the US shouldn’t be in Germany or involved with Europe because Russia was not a threat to them. I wonder what those people are saying now🤔

[stephan]

Meetings, talks, agreements, measures and gestures, announcements, pomp and ceremony, handshakes, smiles and speeches, photo ops, cars arriving, leaders taking long walks together, sitting down around tables, and more talk. Some sanctions, troop movements, expressions of solidarity, assurances and reassurances. It sure is hard work, the art of doing nothing.

[dogsbestfriend]

Human extremes
Good vs evil
Glory to Ukraine

[bretedwards]

The EU is a force that must support democracy and not be deceived by dictators, like Russia, China and it's ally N. Korea.

[StevenSmith-mkfg]

While Russia is no real military threat to Europe as has been clearly demonstrated, this is a wake-up call to Europe and really, to the world. You can't rely on others. The EU relies heavily on Russia for it's energy and the US for it's defence. And there's no need to. The Eu is more than wealthy enough to fund it's own defence and be more or less energy independent.

[somsyxayalath]

Please do more diplomatic support, more military support more damage to civilian people in Ukraine

[dodgingrain]

Its good to see the EU starting to act like leaders but they still are expecting others to save them when it comes down to it.

[martindegaard]

This war must end now। Too many people have died

[SOz-ufyq]

Talk > Speech > BUT > Not enough ACTION. > What are they waiting for > Christmas < Get Real and Help Ukraine. Innocent people are dying.

[greyfells]

We either unite now or accept our status as the battleground of superpowers.

[kitz_loveit]

EU and NATO will only talk about war in Ukraine but they will not get engage. These talks are only intended to discuss their contingency plan, that is "TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTEREST". Sorry Ukraine but it's the sad truth. I feel your pain..

[zakariamustafa]

The sanction to Russia should be permanent ! So that Russia does not come back to other neighbors.