**EU Foreign Ministers Show Solidarity with Ukraine, Criticize Slovak PM’s Moscow Visit**
On Europe Day, May 9th, European foreign ministers gathered in Lviv, Ukraine to show their support for the country in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The meeting was a stark contrast to the military parade held in Moscow, where several foreign leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, stood alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At the Lviv summit, EU foreign ministers signed a landmark agreement to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry and committed to advancing a special tribunal for Russian war crimes. The agreement is backed by 1 billion euros sourced from frozen Russian assets. This move is seen as a significant step towards helping Ukraine not only defend itself today but also build long-term resilience.
“This is a concrete step to help Ukraine not only defend itself today, but build long-term resilience,” said EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas. “We are committed to standing with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.”
The agreement will facilitate joint production and procurement of military equipment between the EU and Ukraine. This move is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
**Creating a Special Tribunal for Russian War Crimes**
One of the key outcomes of the Lviv summit was the commitment to creating a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for several Russian officials over war crimes, but it lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression against a non-signatory like Russia.
“This is a breakthrough, because even Putin can be tried now,” said one diplomat. President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently pushed for the creation of such a tribunal to hold Russian leaders accountable for launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
**Criticizing Slovak PM’s Moscow Visit**
The timing of the Lviv summit offered a clear contrast to the parade in Moscow, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico appeared alongside Putin. His presence drew sharp criticism from multiple EU leaders, who see his actions as lending credibility to Russian propaganda.
“Fico stands shoulder to shoulder with the man who started this war,” said Kallas. “It’s incomprehensible. You stand on the wrong side of history.” Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky added that no Czech official stood in Red Square today, and Poland’s Radoslaw Sikorski quipped, “Wasn’t he supposed to be sick?” referencing Fico’s earlier claim he would skip Moscow due to illness.
**A Turning Point in Europe’s Strategy?**
The commitments made in Lviv may mark a turning point in Europe’s strategy towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As Ukraine braces for a continued war with Russia, the EU’s support and solidarity are seen as crucial steps towards helping the country build long-term resilience.
In conclusion, the Lviv summit was a strong show of support for Ukraine from European foreign ministers. The agreements signed and commitments made will have significant implications for Ukraine’s defense capabilities and its efforts to bring Russian leaders to justice.
