Subscribe here: [ Ссылка ] The European Union’s foreign policy chief said Europe would not be able to replace U.S. support for Ukraine amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Well, I was in Kyiv some days ago just at the moment when we knew that the U.S. Congress had not included support to Ukraine on the big deal about the budget in order to avoid the shutdown,” Josep Borrell told reporters Thursday in Granada, Spain, for a summit of the European Political Community.

“That was certainly not expected, and it is certainly not good news, but I hope it is not going to be a definite position of the U.S.” he continued. “Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, which is sure, they will have it and we will increase it. But also, the support of the U.S.”

Asked whether Europe can fill the gap left by the U.S. amid concerns about Washington’s long-term support for Kyiv’s war effort, Borrell replied “Certainly Europe cannot replace the U.S.”

European leaders are congregating in Granada, Spain, at the Alhambra Palace, a symbol of tranquility, to discuss and devise strategies to combat the increasing instability affecting their continent. The forum, which excludes Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenko, is set to underscore the critical challenges and conflicts that have beleaguered Europe in recent times.

Addressing the Crises
As European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated, crises are ubiquitous across Europe. One of the most recent, linked to the enduring conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, has led to President Aliyev of Azerbaijan cancelling his attendance at the gathering. This conflict, resulting in the displacement of 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory with a majority Armenian population, has struck a particularly sensitive chord in Europe.

While Aliyev has chosen to abstain from the meeting due to the exclusion of Ankara, many leaders are expected to demonstrate their support for the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan. They aim to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and coax Yerevan away from the influence of Moscow. Pashinyan has expressed his regret that a ‘summit within a summit’ in Granada won’t occur, as he saw potential for a significant agreement to be signed there.

Absentees and the Challenges Ahead
Notably absent from the meeting is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is dealing with the aftermath of a suicide bombing near the parliament in Ankara. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend, but Turkey’s decision to stay away has been scrutinized by Omer Celik, the spokesperson for Erdogan’s party, who deemed the meeting unacceptable due to the exclusion of Erdogan and Ankara from discussions concerning Azerbaijan and Armenia.

While the time constraints of the meeting in Granada may limit the potential for major breakthroughs, the gathering provides a rare opportunity for the leaders of rival nations, such as Serbia and Kosovo, to sit together. Moreover, it is expected that other significant European issues will be addressed in the course of the day, culminating in a royal dinner and tour at the Alhambra Palace.

Spotlight on Ukraine
Attention is expected to be directed towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is likely to seek increased support and financial aid from Western allies. This need has been amplified due to the recent withholding of funds meant for Ukraine’s war effort by the US Congress.

Despite this setback, many European leaders have reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine. The forum in Granada, the third iteration of a collaboration effort initiated by the 27-nation European Union, is seen as a crucial step in maintaining close ties and cooperation with countries not yet ready for EU membership.

Future of the EU
With so many countries seeking close ties or membership with the EU, the bloc is facing the complex dilemma of how to expand without fundamentally changing its structure or imposing changes that would disrupt its smooth functioning. This issue is expected to take center stage on the second day of the summit when EU leaders will continue their discussions among bloc members.

European Leaders Convene in Granada for High Stakes Security Talks!

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