The G5+ condemns Russia’s “delaying tactics” and announces “significant short- and long-term military support for Ukraine”

Eduardo González The foreign ministers of the Ukraine Support Group (G5+), meeting this Monday in Madrid, urged Russia to end “its delaying tactics” and agree “without delay to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” They also pledged to reinforce Ukraine “with significant short- and long-term military support” and to adopt “new sanctions” against Russia to “hinder its ability to wage its war of aggression and ensure that Ukraine is in the best possible position to guarantee a just and lasting peace.” “On the third anniversary of the Bucha massacre, we reiterate our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, on the basis of our Warsaw Declaration of 19 November, our Berlin Declaration of 12 December, and our Paris Declaration of 12 February,” begins the Joint Declaration of the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The meeting brought together the High Representative, Kaja Kallas; the European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius; and the Foreign Ministers of Spain, José Manuel Albares; France, Jean-Noël Barrot; Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski; and the United Kingdom, David Lammy (United Kingdom) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke via videoconference, as did Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Italy sent its Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, in place of Minister Antonio Tajani. According to the G5+ (or "Weimar Plus" group), although "Ukraine has demonstrated its firm commitment to peace, also accepting a comprehensive ceasefire without preconditions," Russian aggression against Ukraine "has not ceased." Therefore, the signatory ministers warn, "instead of imposing new conditions and continuously launching attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure that cause ever-increasing casualties, Russia must now demonstrate its serious commitment to ending the war." "We urge Russia to end its delaying tactics and agree without delay, as Ukraine has done, to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on equal terms and fully implementing it," the text adds. Military support, sanctions, and assets “We remain committed, along with our international partners, to enhanced political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for Ukraine,” the Declaration continues. “To this end, we will strengthen Ukraine with significant short- and long-term military support, as well as within the framework of the Capabilities Coalitions and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which will hold its next meeting on April 11,” it adds. “Many European partners, including members of this group, have made significant additional commitments to support Ukraine militarily and are planning new commitments in the future,” the ministers recall. Furthermore, the signatories are “ready to exert further pressure on Russia using all available instruments, including the adoption of new sanctions, with the aim of hampering its ability to wage its war of aggression and ensuring that Ukraine is in the best possible position to secure a just and lasting peace.” “We reiterate that Russian assets must remain withheld until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused,” the statement adds. Before the meeting, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told the media that it is “legitimate to consider” using frozen Russian assets to ensure “predictable and stable aid to Ukraine.” The Declaration calls for “full accountability for war crimes and other extremely serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” and warns that “a credible path to peace must include humanitarian aid initiatives, in particular the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians, and the return of all Ukrainian children and other civilians illegally deported and transferred to Russia and Belarus.” “Peace cannot be a reward for the aggressor” “We support efforts toward a ceasefire that can lead to the establishment of a just and lasting peace. We welcome the recent progress in defining the essential elements of a viable and sustainable ceasefire, including a clear monitoring and verification framework,” it continues. In any case, the signatory ministers warn that “peace must be just, and Russia's war of aggression cannot end with a reward for the aggressor.” “There can be no agreement that compromises Euro-Atlantic security and Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We will not accept any agreement that restricts Ukraine's military and defense industry or the military presence of partner countries in Ukraine,” they continue. “Ukraine's future lies in Europe and the European Union, and Ukraine's future is crucial for Europe's security,” and therefore, “Europe must fully participate in the negotiations and will make its own decisions,” the text warns. “We are ready to play our part in achieving this peace,” the foreign ministers assert, recalling that “Europe already provides almost two-thirds of all support to Ukraine and 60% of military aid.” “We reiterate our strong commitment to NATO as the foundation of Euro-Atlantic security and pledge to assume greater responsibility for the future security and defense of the European continent, with the aim of achieving a meaningful outcome at the Hague summit,” they add. “The European Union partners underline that Europe must become more sovereign and more responsible for its own defense, and better equipped to act and address immediate and future challenges and threats autonomously with a 360-degree approach. In light of the White Paper on the Future of European Defense, we call for accelerated work on all lines of action. The European Union must also fully play its role in supporting the next steps towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the Declaration concludes.

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