EU military chief highlights deteriorating global security, backs Ukraine at Kyiv Security Forum
The European Union’s strategic situation has significantly worsened due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and global conflicts, EU Military Committee Chair Robert Brieger said in a video address to the Kyiv Security Forum on May 8.
"It is a great honor for me to speak to all of you here in Kyiv," Brieger said.
“Unfortunately, my duties as chairmain of the EU Military Committee do not allow me to be present in person.”
This year's Kyiv Security Forum is unique for many reasons, he added.
“Firstly, we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe, and together we honor the day when the Second World War ended on the European continent,” said Brieger.
“Secondly, we are gathered at an extremely difficult time for Ukraine, Europe and the entire democratic world to discuss the international order, democracy and peace, which are now under serious, even existential threats."
He argues that the forum raises a crucial question for Europe.
"To be or not to be? Will humanity be able to prevent the Third World War?” Brieger stated.
“In my opinion, this is not just a topic for discussion, but an urgent call to action. Why? Because the strategic situation in which the European Union is currently finding itself has deteriorated significantly.
Let me give you a few examples. Russia has once again brought conventional warfare to Europe. In the northwestern Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, the Houthis are attacking merchant ships, undermining Europe's security and prosperity. In the Middle East, old conflicts have flared up with renewed vigor. In Africa, the Western world is losing ties and the ability to influence local circumstances. In short, we are constantly teetering on the brink of escalation. We can say that the whole world has turned into one big arena for the struggle for security," the chairman of the EU Military Committee said.
Brieger also stressed that "no one understands better than Ukrainians that what is at stake is not some abstract idea. It is about how to prevent World War III. Meanwhile, we see the Ukrainian people and the Armed Forces fighting for the future of the civilized world. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched an unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, bringing war to Europe once again. The EU and its international partners immediately began to provide Ukraine with substantial political, military, financial and humanitarian support. In particular, unprecedented assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which includes both the supply of military equipment and training."
In November 2022, we launched the first-ever military mission in the EU to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression - the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, the European official added.
“Let me give you some facts about this mission,” said Brieger.
“EUMAM Ukraine provides training for the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at basic, advanced and specialized levels. As of today, 1,500 training modules have been conducted, with about 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained. The training took place both in the mission's units in Poland and Germany and in 24 other EU countries."
The chair of the EU Military Committee also said: "At the request of Ukraine, since the beginning of 2024, the EU Military Assistance Mission has started training for the security sector forces - the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, the National Police and the Security Service - under the operational command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
I would like to emphasize that all training programs are formed in accordance with the combat needs identified by the Armed Forces of Ukraine themselves and are developed in coordination with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, NATO and other key international partners. During their work and discussions in the EU Military Committee, the chiefs of defence of the EU member states always emphasize that EUMAM Ukraine is a key platform for enhancing the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is what ensures Ukraine's ability to independently deter further aggression."
"When we ask ourselves today whether humanity is capable of preventing World War III, my answer is yes,” Brieger concluded.
“However, there are no simple solutions for this. In the darkness of war, peace through strength is possible only when Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, with powerful armed forces and high defense capability as its integral components.
The EU's unwavering support, which takes into account Ukraine's real needs, will be the main topic of the upcoming meeting of the EU Military Committee. Next week, at the highest military strategic level, the EU chiefs of defense will discuss the way forward. We will continue to help Ukraine meet its urgent military and defense needs, including supplying ammunition, missiles, air defense systems, training and providing the necessary equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s key platform for discussing war, peace, and global security.
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