NUNZIUM

The tensions between the European Union and Russia have grown over the Ukraine war in the last two months. The Ukraine crisis has yet to have a favourable negotiation in sight today. On January 23, after weeks of Poland and other NATO members openly pressuring Germany to permit the dispatch of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the US and EU allies decided to send armour. With this decision, NATO demonstrated continued assistance to Ukraine despite this meant crossing what was previously called Russia's "red lines". In the following days, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev reiterated in a written interview that the Russian response to attacks in Russian territory can be of any nature and that these will be consistent and immediate - referencing the country's nuclear arsenal.

Additionally, on February 2, EU President Ursula Von Der Leyen visited Kyiv along with 15 European Commissioners. The meeting discussed the numerous reforms needed for Ukraine to achieve EU membership. President Von Der Leyen also confirmed support in funds for 1 billion and further sanctions against Russia to be enacted by the end of the month. On February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London and urged the allies to send combat aircraft. He obtained more support in training Ukraine pilots, which may be a premise for effectively using NATO's jets. Zelensky travelled to Paris in the evening, following his visit to the United Kingdom, to meet France's leader Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On February 9, he met in Brussels with European Union leaders as they gathered for a summit. "A Ukraine winning is going to be a member of the European Union," Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian president's main messages in London, Paris and Brussels were pleas for long-range missiles and fighter jets to beef up his armed forces and (to the EU) the necessity of rapid entry into the bloc. Following these visits, the European Parliament voted with a large majority and heavy resolution on February 15, condemning Russia's invasion and annexation of Ukraine's territories. In the document, the EU reiterates its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that the outcome of the war and the stance taken by the international community will play a crucial role in affecting future action by other authoritarian regimes. Besides demanding that Russia withdraws its troops, it confirmed a steady and continued increase in the supply of all types of weapons to Ukraine, without exceptions, mentioning for the first the possibility of sending fighter jets and missile systems. Additionally, more sanctions against Russia will be put in place by the end of February, and a legal frame to confiscate frozen Russian assets - is to be devolved to Ukraine's reconstruction.

Following the Plenary at the EU Parliament, a Security Conference of the G7 took place in Munich on February 17 and 18. For the first time since the outbreak of COVID, China was represented in Munich at a high level this year in the form of its most senior diplomat, former Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang told the audience that China had tried and would continue to try to broker Ukraine peace talks. "There were multiple rounds of peace talks. And we saw a framework text on the peaceful resolution of the crisis. However, that was stopped. We do not know why. The process was cut short. Some forces might not want to see peace talks materialize. They don't care about the life and death of Ukrainians, not the harm to Europe. They might have strategic goals larger than Ukraine itself." Wang also used the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to say that "for a safer world, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected". In his introductory remarks, Wang had said that COVID had shown how the world was "one global village" and could only "win the victory when we trust each other." However, the US, German, and French representatives expressed perplexity about finding a diplomatic solution in the immediate future. In its final statement, the G7 confirms support for Ukraine until necessary and condemns Russia's actions. Today February 20, two more critical meetings took place. US president Joe Biden met Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Kyiv, where he promised increased arms deliveries. In the meantime, Chinese Minister Wang Yi visits Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.