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Russian shelling kills 3 and injures 7 in Kherson region, regional authorities say
European leaders should “critically contemplate” offering Kyiv with fighter jets, lawmakers within the European Union parliament mentioned in a decision adopted Thursday.
The decision marked almost one yr since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“They reaffirm their assist for offering army help to Ukraine for so long as is important and name for critical consideration to be given to delivering Western fighter jets and helicopters, acceptable missile methods and substantial will increase in munitions supply to Kyiv,” in line with a satement.
“Ukraine should not solely be capable of defend itself, but additionally to regain full management of its whole internationally recognised territory,” it added.
The decision, which is non-binding, additionally calls on the EU to implement a tenth package deal of sanctions in opposition to Moscow by the top of February and to tighten these already in place. Property seized from Russian oligarchs needs to be used to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction, lawmakers mentioned.
The legislators additionally urged the European Fee — the EU’s government arm — and nationwide governments to start talks with Kyiv this yr on Ukraine’s bid for EU membership.
Russian response: The Russian Mission to the EU slammed the parliament’s decision as a “paragon of disinformation” unsupported by “knowledge, details or proof,” in a press release posted on its web site.
“Clearly, the decision is aimed toward intentionally deceptive the European public and making an attempt to justify the European Union’s course to escalate the Ukrainian battle and enhance sanctions strain on our nation,” the mission mentioned.
Moscow has confronted fixed diplomatic strain from the EU, together with financial sanctions, since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine.
Extra background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took his plea for the availability of Western fighter jets on to European international locations final week, together with in a shock go to to London and at a European Union summit.
Ukrainian pilots will begin coaching on NATO jets in the UK quickly, but it surely’s unclear how quickly allies may decide on whether or not to ship the fashionable combating planes.
NATO’s secretary basic mentioned Tuesday that the query of sending trendy fighter jets to Ukraine is “not essentially the most pressing problem” proper now, focusing as an alternative on delivering the army assist it has already dedicated to Ukraine.