Von der Leyen, Rutte say Russian ‘intimidation will not work’ to stop Ukraine aid

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte jointly declared on Wednesday that Russia's intimidation tactics would not deter the EU and NATO from supporting Ukraine. The joint statement emerged after Germany attributed a foiled attack on an airport crucial for military aid to Ukraine to Russian operatives.

"This was an attack using military-grade material carried out by Russian operatives on European Union soil — we will not tolerate it," von der Leyen assured reporters. "If the intention was to make us think twice about supporting Ukraine, I can tell you it has only strengthened my resolve; intimidation will not work." Rutte echoed this sentiment, stating that "our unity is unshaken — our support to Ukraine is clear."

He described Russia's recent actions, including intrusions into NATO airspace and "malign activities" like fires at defense equipment factories for Ukraine, as "reckless." The leaders emphasized that Russia's actions were clear threats to the West, and the EU would respond accordingly. Von der Leyen announced that the EU would dispatch rapid response teams to assist countries affected by similar incidents and was prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia.

The EU foreign ministers, meeting in Ireland, will discuss further measures against Moscow, including potential further sanctions. They also hinted at increased support for Ukraine, with von der Leyen confirming discussions about a new payment request of "several billion euros" from Ukraine to fund its air defenses, including advanced U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.