India's Military Support Request
"An Important Backing and Solidarity"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Ukraine met with foreign ministers from seven European countries to discuss military aid and issues related to joining the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As Russia intensifies its tactical attacks on Ukraine's key infrastructure amid the harsh winter cold, raising concerns over an energy crisis, Ukraine has sought support from the international community. This move is interpreted as an effort to pressure Russia by leveraging the contentious issue of 'EU and NATO membership,' which is also a condition for a ceasefire.
On the 28th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that foreign ministers from the three Baltic states and four Nordic countries visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The countries participating in this meeting include the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) as well as the four Nordic countries of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland.
The foreign ministers of these seven countries met with President Zelensky to discuss humanitarian and military support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and Ukraine's attempts to join the EU.
In a video speech that evening, President Zelensky described the visit as "a very important gesture of support and solidarity."
Urmas Reinsalu, Estonia's Foreign Minister, posted a statement on Twitter after the meeting, saying, "Ukraine urgently needs more weapons to defend against Russia," and added, "This is also a responsibility we all share for collective security," hinting at the possibility of further support.
The 27 EU member states agreed in June to grant Ukraine candidate status for EU membership, but there are expectations that the process of becoming a full member could take decades.
The Ukrainian presidential office explained that discussions about the possibility of NATO membership took place during the meeting alongside EU accession talks, but did not disclose specific details of the conversations.
Russia, which has continued concentrated airstrikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, is using energy issues as leverage to pressure peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukraine is reportedly considering increasing its negotiating power by using the abandonment of EU and NATO membership and military restrictions?previously top national security priorities?as bargaining chips.
Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership is one of the key ceasefire conditions demanded by Russian President Vladimir Putin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, along with recognition of the annexation of Crimea and the independence of the Donbas region.
Due to Russia's concentrated airstrikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, power supply has been cut off, and with the arrival of the harsh winter cold, there are concerns that a large-scale humanitarian disaster could occur in Ukraine. President Zelensky has labeled Russia's plan to corner Ukraine during winter as "energy terrorism" and has called for international support.
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