Probably every Ukrainian followed the news from Washington on February 28. Few could have predicted that the meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States would turn out this way: a heated argument, complaints about Zelensky, and an early departure from the White House.
The leaders of the European Union and its member states immediately responded to this reception with unquestioning support for Ukraine because blue-and-yellow flags and assurances that European officials would be on our side overloaded social media.
To understand how Europe will act further and strengthen Ukraine’s positions and security against the backdrop of the change in U.S. policy, Ukrinform spoke with the European Union Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová.
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MEETING IN LONDON DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING MORE CONCRETE CONTOURS OF SECURITY GUARANTEES
— Madam Ambassador, I am happy to welcome you to Ukrinform. We met shortly after the meeting of President Zelenskyy with President Trump in the Oval Office and also shortly after major EU leaders expressed their support for Ukraine. At the end of the day, this misunderstanding with American partners can complicate the whole situation in Ukraine. Is Europe ready to mobilise quickly, also in the defence sector, to minimise the consequences?
— You are asking whether Europe is ready. I think that what I would like to say at the outset, as was expressed by all key European leaders, is that we stood with Ukraine, we stand with Ukraine, and we will stand with Ukraine.
When you are asking about the defence of Ukraine, tomorrow is an important key meeting in London, called by Prime Minister Starmer, who was in the White House earlier this week. The meeting is dedicated to developing more concrete contours of how Europe would be in a position to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
Also on the 6th of March, which is next week, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, who was just in Kyiv on Monday together with President von der Leyen and 21 commissioners, has called an extraordinary European Council, the summit of European leaders, to discuss both support to Ukraine, defence of Ukraine, and also increase in security expenditures and posture of the European continent.
So, I think that all the elements are there to be able to positively answer your question.
— About the meeting tomorrow and the next week of the European Council. Ukraine’s position is clear. We can’t accept the truce without any security guarantees. So the question is, should we expect any breakthrough decision tomorrow or in the next week from Europe?
— I think we all understand who is the aggressor and who is the victim. And we all understand the point that you made that President Zelensky eloquently said on numerous occasions, and I personally have made also in Ukrainian media, that indeed key to a durable peace is the security guarantees. We all understand that. Europe understands that.
And I believe these meetings, both in London and in Brussels, will be key steps in getting there.
IT WOULD BE EASIER WITH THE US THAN WITHOUT
— Considering today’s stance of the Trump administration on the whole security situation and Ukraine, what should be the priority of the EU today? Is it preventing the alienation of Europe from America, or is it broader independence of Europe?
— As, for example, Prime Minister of Italy, Meloni, stated yesterday, we are stronger together. The Western alliance is stronger together. There is no question about it.
But I think we have enough elements, will and tools to actually be the security provider. I think it would be more effective and easier with the United States than without. But I think we just will have to see and adjust to the situation as it evolves.
THE MEMORANDUM ON RAW MATERIALS WITH UKRAINE CONTINUES, BUT THIS IS NOT THE PRIORITY FOR THE EU
— The Ukrainian delegation didn’t manage to sign the Agreement on Raw Material Cooperation. So, should we expect that the talks will be intensified with the EU based on the Memorandum on Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials signed in 2021?
— Look, we have had the memorandum since 2021. We have provided a lot of technical assistance on that basis. We have been engaged with the Ukrainian authorities in helping to do surveys and map the mineral wealth of this country. I think we will continue co-developing it in a partnership.
But frankly, I don’t think that this is the first order of priority right now for the European Union.
I think that the first order of priority is to work with Ukraine on how to improve its defensive posture and strength for the negotiations and how to develop security guarantees. And let us not forget we also have a very important EU enlargement track with Ukraine just this week. Among all these developments, in fact, one of the key requirements of the EU and the IMF was adopted by the Rada. I believe on Thursday or Friday was the establishment of the High Administrative Court.
So, in the middle of not only these various crises and the fighting, you keep reforming. We have a big agenda. And I think that the memorandum of 2021 will continue as it has so far. This is not the main priority right now for the EU.
— Madam Ambassador, I also have a follow-up question. Madam Eurocommissioner Kos, during her visit to Kyiv with the whole European Commission delegation, stated they are after opening negotiations on three clusters. Do you think it’s a feasible goal today?
— I very much hope so. I think Ukraine is ready for the opening of the clusters because the time of the most intense discussions is once they are opened.
And I very much hope we will have the required unanimity to move swiftly in this direction.
Ivan Kosiakin, Kyiv
Photo: Hennadiy Minchenko
