EU foreign ministers convene to discuss conflict in Ukraine and progress of Nord Stream 2
Today, EU foreign and defence ministers gather in Belgium to discuss a host of security topics, including Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
In recent weeks, posturing by both Russia and Ukraine have elevated tensions. Earlier this month, Ukraine led major military exercises near the Crimean Peninsula. More recently, Moscow and Kiev have butted heads in the Sea of Azov—Russia has threatened to take actions against Ukrainian vessels that have allegedly harassed Russian ships.
On Friday, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who stressed Washington’s support for Kiev. Efforts to prevent Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which circumvents Ukrainian gas pipelines, were also discussed.
The Nord Stream 2 project could be a tricky issue for Europe. Germany is a major partner in the project and, as such, the EU is unlikely to take action against it. However, this reluctance could hinder cooperation with the US, while a lack of economic deterrence from the West could also embolden Moscow in its ongoing conflict with Kiev.
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