UPDATE - Czech president warns against new divisions in Europe

ADDS BACKGROUND, FIGURES ON MILITARY SUPPORT

BERLIN (AA) – Czech President Petr Pavel on Tuesday warned against new divisions in Europe in the aftermath of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“Central and Eastern European countries have played a very active role in supporting Ukraine and have gained a sense of self-confidence,” Pavel told a joint news conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin.

“But it would be very unfortunate if we enter into a competition with the so-called traditional Western Europe, and that would be the opposite of what we would like to achieve. We should further strengthen the unity of Europe,” he said.

Pavel argued that stronger unity among EU countries was necessary not only to counter Russia’s plans but also China’s influence.

He added that Germany, the EU’s largest economy, should assume more responsibility for the security and defense of Europe.

For his part, Steinmeier said Germany, together with its European partners, will continue to provide strong support to Ukraine.

“Russia, with its attack on Ukraine, shattered the peace order in Europe. Russia violated international law in a brutal manner,” he said.

Steinmeier said they discussed the latest developments and ways to provide further support to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.

“Today, Germany is the biggest supporter of Ukraine on the European continent, also in terms of military support,” he said. “The EU and NATO are determined to continue their financial, economic, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine."

Germany had long pursued diplomacy and advocated energy cooperation with Russia, but changed its policy in February last year, after Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.

After months of pressure from the US and allies in Eastern Europe, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government also agreed to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, including Gepard anti-aircraft guns and Leopard battle tanks.

Germany has so far supplied more than €2 billion ($2.16 billion) worth of weapons to Ukraine, according to the government figures. Another € 2.2 billion fund will be used for the arms deliveries in the course of this year.