Ukraine: by delivering weapons, the European Union takes an unprecedented decision

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, February 25, 2022. AP - Olivier Hoslet

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To respond to the Russian military offensive in Ukraine, the European Union is taking unprecedented measures.

For the first time in its history, the EU will buy weapons and deliver them to a non-member country.

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With our correspondent in Brussels,

The most striking of the decisions taken by the European Union in recent days is undoubtedly the common military aid decided by the 27: 450 million euros of defensive and offensive equipment will be delivered to the Ukrainian army,

This is a first, never in its history has the European Union delivered arms and weapons to a country at war, as European Commission President Ursula Von Leyen explained on Sunday.

Some countries are even willing to provide fighter jets, European Foreign Minister Josep Borrel announced on Sunday.

A united Europe?

This European aid is in addition to the deliveries of arms or equipment already announced by certain countries such as Germany, Portugal, France and Spain.

It is Poland, a neighbor of Ukraine, which should serve as a logistical base for the supply of these weapons.

The other striking point of this European aid is its speed.

The 27 reached an agreement in record time.

Whether for the delivery of arms or the closure of airspace, countries took national decisions before decisions quickly became European.

Concerning the economic sanctions and

, despite the reluctance of certain countries such as Germany, the European Union has reached an agreement.

Since the beginning of the war on Ukrainian territory, the European countries seem very anxious to show that with a war on its doorstep, the Union must be stronger and united than ever.

Germany and Sweden break a taboo

In addition to the scarcity of European decisions, several countries such as

are thus breaking a taboo in their country.

By agreeing to deliver arms to Ukraine, the two States put an end to their policy of prohibiting all exports of lethal weapons to conflict zones.

Berlin authorized the delivery to Kiev of 1,000 anti-tank rocket launchers, 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles and 9 howitzers.

Germany also announced the shipment to Ukraine of 14 armored vehicles as well as 10,000 tons of fuel.

For its part, Sweden will deliver 5,000 anti-tank rocket launchers, a first since 1939, when Sweden assisted Finland invaded by the USSR.

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