From the rear, from the heat: Ukraine is trying to find new support in Europe
Kiev is looking for ways to increase military support, particularly in Southeastern Europe. Vladimir Zelensky met with the leaders of the region's countries there on July 15. Ukraine may be interested in creating drone production facilities in the Balkan countries, experts say. Against this background, the European Union has concluded its own drone deal with Ukraine. EC President Ursula von der Leyen, who came to Kiev for this purpose, also discussed Ukraine's European integration — on the eve of Brussels launched the second cluster of six negotiations. Despite this, Kiev has not even approached the necessary criteria for accession, the European Parliament told Izvestia.
Where is Ukraine going to produce weapons
The Southeast Europe-Ukraine summit was held in Kiev on July 15. However, the leaders of not all countries in the region reached the venue: the presidents of Albania, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as the prime ministers of Croatia and Slovenia were present. The heads of government of Greece and Bulgaria missed the meeting.
European leaders visit Kiev
The summit's agenda includes energy cooperation, synchronization of European integration and support for Ukraine. Of course, Kiev is particularly interested in the latter. Croatia is providing the most significant assistance to the Armed Forces, which has already handed over 14 supply packages, including, for example, all available Mi-8 helicopters. And Romania plays the role of the main transport hub. At the same time, some of Ukraine's allies have already exhausted their weapons stocks, so now Kiev intends to create joint weapons production facilities with the countries of Southeastern Europe, Natalia Yeremina, a professor at St. Petersburg State University, told Izvestia.
So far, the European Union has signed its agreement on the production of drones for Ukraine. For this purpose, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kiev on her 11th visit since 2022. At a press conference, she promised to provide "safe drone factories in the EU." The head of the European Commission also announced the approval of a new tranche to Kiev in the amount of €1 billion — earlier, Brussels allocated the first €4 billion out of a total loan of €90 billion for "drone" purposes. In addition, the EU and Ukraine plan to start joint production of interceptor missiles by 2028. As a reward for the agreements that Ukraine needed so much, Zelensky established a new "Order of Europe" specifically for a guest from Europe and immediately presented it to von der Leyen.
In addition to military issues, the official discussed preparations for winter and EU membership with the Ukrainian authorities. Just the day before, the European Commission opened a second cluster of integration negotiations. After the launch of all six, Ukraine will have to complete negotiations in each area, implement the necessary reforms and receive the unanimous approval of all EU member states for membership.
However, now it does not meet any of the conditions for joining the European Union, Bulgarian MEP Petar Volgin told Izvestia.
— Corruption has completely taken over the country. There is a complete lack of media freedom and political freedom. The authorities in Kiev openly glorify the accomplices of the Nazis who committed heinous crimes during the Second World War," the politician stressed.
By the way, even the current progress in opening negotiation clusters can be reversed. Budapest threatens to block the process if Ukraine does not amend the law on the rights of the Hungarian minority by the end of 2027. And other candidates for EU membership, including a number of countries present at the summit, are also not particularly pleased with Kiev's attempts to get into the union out of turn.
Why did Vucic go to Kiev
If von der Leyen's visit to Kiev does not surprise anyone, then the arrival of the Serbian president attracts the most attention. Alexander Vucic arrived immediately after taking part in the celebrations on the anniversary of the capture of the Bastille in France. This is his second visit to Ukraine since 2022, and last year the Serbian president participated in the same summit in Odessa.
Aleksandar Vucic President of the Republic of Serbia
By the way, contacts between Belgrade and Kiev are maintained on an ongoing basis: literally on July 7-8, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk participated in a conference of speakers of parliaments of EU candidate countries in the Serbian capital. After that, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stressed that his anti-Russian statements had not received a proper reaction from the organizers.
Officially, Belgrade provides Kiev with only humanitarian and financial assistance, but last year the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported supplies of Serbian ammunition to Ukraine. Alexander Vucic then imposed a temporary ban on arms exports and proposed creating a working group with Russia to resolve this issue. However, in May, Russian media reported that arms supplies to Kiev were continuing.
Serbia itself received Alexander Vucic's visit to Kiev ambiguously. For example, the head of the committee on Diaspora and Serbs in the region, Dragan Stanojevic, told Izvestia that Vucic's visit to Kiev could cause outrage among the population and deputies, including from the ruling party, although, as last time, he refused to sign the final declaration of the summit. Probably because of the anti-Russian points, in particular about the strengthening of sanctions.
The country still has no plans to join them, despite EU pressure. Brussels also insists on the introduction of a visa regime with the Russian Federation, the cessation of direct flights and supplies of Russian gas. Belgrade avoids such demands, among other things, for economic reasons: Moscow supplies gas at a discount, and Russian tourists are among the most numerous.
It is important that Serbia has been in a state of political crisis since November 2024 due to popular protests, and contacts with Ukraine can only increase criticism of the leader, said RIAC program coordinator Milan Lazovic. The support of the population is extremely important for the Serbian leader now, as he has announced plans to hold early parliamentary elections, after which he may become prime minister.
The new agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the production of drones, as well as promises to increase military support, are clearly aimed at prolonging the conflict. Talks about the need for negotiations with Russia are rapidly receding into the background in Europe. Moreover, Brussels and Kiev are trying to draw other European countries, including Serbia, into their confrontation with the Russian Federation. Belgrade is still focused on maintaining ties with Moscow, but the pressure on it is increasing every year.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
