G7 summit
EU must commit to Russian arms embargo
Commenting on the outcome of the G7 summit in Brussels, Greens/EFA president Rebecca Harms said:
"The failure to stop arms exports to Russia (notably from France and Germany) will prevent the G7 and the EU from developing any coherent Russia strategy. It is unfathomable that the French government is insisting on exporting modern assault weapons worth €1.2 billion to Russia, with the support of Germany. The first of two Mistral helicopter carrier ships will be delivered to Russia in November, with Russia to get a license to build two additional ships. This would give a boost to Russia's ailing navy.
"At the same time NATO and, particularly, the U.S. want to assist those countries that will soon be threatened by these Mistral ships. Eastern and Central European countries are to be supported with weapons worth $1 billion. In addition, the NATO secretary general has called for an increase in national defense budgets. This cannot solve the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, France must abandon its arms export plans and the EU must have a finally adopt an arms embargo to Russia."
