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Zelensky rules out conceding territory in potential future peace deal with Russia, he tells BBC News
European leaders should “severely contemplate” offering Kyiv with fighter jets, lawmakers within the European Union parliament mentioned in a decision adopted Thursday.
The decision marked practically one yr since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“They reaffirm their assist for offering navy help to Ukraine for so long as is critical and name for severe consideration to be given to delivering Western fighter jets and helicopters, acceptable missile programs and substantial will increase in munitions supply to Kyiv,” in response to a satement.
“Ukraine should not solely be capable of defend itself, but in addition to regain full management of its total 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 ought 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 Ukraine 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 an announcement posted on its web site.
“Clearly, the decision is geared toward intentionally deceptive the European public and making an attempt to justify the European Union’s course to escalate the Ukrainian battle and improve sanctions stress on our nation,” the mission mentioned.
Moscow has confronted fixed diplomatic stress 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 different European nations 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, however it’s unclear how quickly allies might decide on whether or not to ship the fashionable combating planes.
NATO’s secretary normal mentioned Tuesday that the query of sending fashionable fighter jets to Ukraine is “not probably the most pressing challenge” proper now, focusing as an alternative on delivering the navy assist it has already dedicated to Ukraine.