At a summit in Granada, Spain, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed concerns about U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Washington is in political turmoil.
Two key leaders skipped the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Granada, Spain: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Their absence hindered talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, made it clear. Europe can’t replace U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Washington’s internal issues add to the uncertainty. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy lost his position.
Thus, the fate of American financial aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance. The White House warns that U.S. support could dwindle in a few months without new funds.
President Joe Biden expressed his worries. Yet, he vowed to continue backing Ukraine both militarily and financially.
Migration was another key topic at the summit. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni found it particularly relevant.
The EU recently struck a deal for a unified migration response, seen as a major milestone.
Sébastien Maillard of the Jacques Delors Institute weighed in. Erdogan’s second consecutive absence weakens the EPC.
Particularly, the EPC aims to engage Turkey, whose EU membership is on hold.
Lastly, Italy and the UK are pushing for quick migration solutions. They plan to unveil a joint action to address the issue.
Background U.S. financial aid to Ukraine
Adding to the situation’s complexity, the summit unfolded amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, Russia’s increasing military activity adds another layer of concern.
Earlier summits didn’t focus much on U.S. involvement, but this year, it’s a hot topic.
Contrastingly, past European meetings often centered around trade and regulations. This shift underscores Europe’s changing geopolitical landscape.
While the U.S. remains a major player, its internal politics are causing jitters among allies.
The crisis in Washington adds an extra layer of uncertainty to already fragile global alliances.
Across the Atlantic, American lawmakers also face a ticking clock to sustain Ukraine aid.
This presents a stark contrast to the European Union’s multi-year financial commitments.
Ultimately, the summit’s main takeaway is a collective realization of Europe’s growing role in maintaining geopolitical balance.