(VOVWORLD) -The two-day EU Summit closed in Brussels on Friday with a commitment to further support for Ukraine. The EU is likely to make a big change by providing Ukraine with warplanes and long-range rockets, which the bloc has been hesitant to send, citing worries about a potential escalation of the conflict onto Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the European Parliament in Brussels. Photo: AP
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Speaking at a press conference after the EU summit, which was attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Council president Charles Michel promised "maximum support" both militarily and politically from the EU but said that "the next few weeks and months will probably be decisive."
Zelensky told the press that "There are positive signals concerning the respective weapons."
However, observers say the latest commitment is not easy to be delivered on because of the conflicting opinions within the EU members.
Before the EU summit, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his country did not rule out any form of military aid to Ukraine, but added “We have consistently said that we rule nothing out as long as there is not an Article Five situation between NATO and Russia”. Article Five allows the activation of joint defense among NATO members when one member is attacked.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the trilateral meeting between France, Germany and Ukraine in Paris on Wednesday said Germany and its partners have and will continue to support Ukraine, but NATO must not become a party to Ukraine's conflict with Russia.