MEP Guy Verhofstadt proposed withholding funding from the European Council until Patriot is allocated. His words were met with applause.
The European Parliament refused to approve the decision to finance the Council of the EU due to the inability of the bloc countries to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-aircraft systems. It was found out on Thursday, April 11.
A corresponding proposal in the hall was expressed by the long-time European MP, former Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt from the Renew group. He recalled the words of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, that European countries have a hundred Patriot batteries, while Ukraine needs seven. He suggested withholding European Council funding until these systems were allocated. His words were met with applause.
During the voting, Guy Verhofstadt was supported by 515 MEPs, while only 62 were against.
“Parliament refuses to implement the Council’s budget until the European Council decides to support Ukraine with additional Patriot missile defense systems!” – Verhofstadt wrote on the social network X.
BREAKING — Parliament refuses to release the Council’s budget until the European Council decides to support Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-missile systems ! pic.twitter.com/zDvA4xyUct
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) April 11, 2024
Let’s remember that President Vladimir Zelensky said that the Western Patriot air defense system should now be in Ukraine, so that they do not need to be used in the entire eastern part of NATO.
According to the president, Ukraine needs to have 25 Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems or their equivalents to fully protect its airspace.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.