by Andrew Gray
BRUSSELS, June 29 (Reuters) – European heads of state and government will discuss the fallout from the failed mutiny in Russia as they meet for a summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss further measures to support Ukraine and security assistance to it, notably in the presence of the Secretary General of NATO.
While last weekend’s events in Russia are not on the summit agenda or mentioned in draft statements, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has said EU leaders will discuss the mutiny launched then abandoned on Saturday by the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.
“It will definitely be addressed,” she told reporters in Brussels on the eve of the start of the two-day summit, which will also discuss migration issues, relations with China and others. issues.
Like many of her European peers, the Estonian leader said the mutiny highlighted flaws in leadership in Russia.
She added that she has seen several separate analyzes of how this mutiny could affect the war in Ukraine and the risk Russia poses to the West.
The West must not allow itself to be swayed but continue to support Ukraine and strengthen its own defences, said Kaja Kallas.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, made similar comments in the letter sent to EU leaders inviting them to the summit, noting the need to “reaffirm our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as necessary”, in particular financially and militarily.
A draft final communiqué from the summit states that EU countries are ready to contribute to future security engagements with Ukraine, to “help Ukraine defend itself over the long term, deter any act of aggression and resist destabilization efforts”.
Diplomats said the text was proposed by France, champion of an EU with an increased military and security role.
Several countries want more details and are worried that this idea conflicts with moves involving the United States and NATO over long-term commitments to Ukraine, diplomats said.
“There are many questions for many member states,” said a diplomat from a European country. (Report Andrew Gray, with John Irish, Julia Payne, Kate Abnett, Philip Blenkinsop and Jan Strupczewski; French version Jean Terzian)
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