Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1522634
16 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2024 mcast.edu.mt Maltese split on EU military aid to Ukraine MALTESE agreement with the EU's fi- nancing of the purchase of armaments to Ukraine has dropped by 13 points between October 2023 and April 2024, according to a survey undertaken by the European Commission. But while a relative majority of 50% is now opposed to military assistance to Ukraine, the vast majority of Maltese still consider the brutal invasion of Ukraine as a threat to Malta, and a large major- ity want the EU to increase its defence spending. The drop in support for military assis- tance for Ukraine coincided with generic declarations by Prime Minister Robert Abela during the past months against the increased militarisation of the EU, even if Malta has supported all EU decisions in response to the Russian invasion at Euro- pean Council level. But while Maltese support for Ukraine is waning, the Eurobarometer survey shows that agreement with military support for Ukraine has increased in 15 EU member states. This was particularly the case in Denmark, where agreement with EU mili- tary support for Ukraine has increased by 8 points and has now reached the 91% mark. But agreement with military aid for Ukraine has declined in 12 countries, with the largest drop seen in Malta (-13 pp). The survey also reports decreased satis- faction in Malta with the response of the EU to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 15 member states, with the largest drop being registered in Malta (-11 percent- age points). Still 53% of the Maltese ex- pressed a positive judgement on the EU's response to the Russian aggression and 69% support EU sanctions against Russia. The survey also shows that 54% of the Maltese support EU membership for Ukraine and 61% agree with the state- ment that by standing against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU is defending European values. Moreover, 62% of Maltese think that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of their country, down from 67% in October 2023. And despite cooling down in their sup- port for Ukraine, the Maltese are keen on enhanced military cooperation in the EU. 57% of Maltese agree that the EU needs to reinforce its capacity to produce mili- tary equipment, while 65% want the EU to spend more on its defence. A staggering 78% also want greater cooperation in de- fence matters within the EU. Since the start of the war the EU and its Member States have provided over €98.5 billion in economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine. Recent measures include final approval for the establishment of the Ukraine Fa- cility which will provide €50 billion for Ukraine during 2024-2027 and another €5 billion under the European Peace Fa- cility to support Ukraine. At the special European Council on 17 April 2024, EU leaders emphasised the need to intensify delivery of military assis- tance to Ukraine, in addition to humani- tarian and civil protection assistance. How Maltese measure up • 50% oppose EU financing and supply of military equipment to Ukraine • 62% agree Russian invasion is threat to Malta's security • 57% say EU should produce more weapons