Five European defense ministers reaffirmed support for Ukraine on Monday, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that President Vladimir Putin was using time and winter conditions to prolong pressure on the country.
In their joint statement, the E5 ministers said political, military and financial support for Ukraine would continue. They described Russia as the most acute and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
Speaking at the ministers’ meeting in Paris, Pistorius said he saw no indication Putin wanted a cease-fire or peace. He said the Russian leader was “playing for time.”
Pistorius assessed that Putin could not prevail on the battlefield and would rely on cold weather and systematic damage to Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure to worsen conditions for Ukrainians. He called the approach “sheer terror.”
Pistorius said winter assistance packages had been prepared as part of European Union support for Ukraine. He also said work with Ukraine on an air-defense system was underway; he did not name a system.
