In the run-up to the summit, eastern EU states, among others, had insisted that the EU should participate in efforts to provide security guarantees for the period after the possible end of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This could be, for example, concrete commitments for military aid or assurances of assistance in the event of an attack.
Nehammer said on Thursday on the subject of security guarantees: “It is clear to us as neutral states that they cannot exist in this way.” Austria’s military neutrality is regulated in a federal constitutional law from 1955.
The draft for the final declaration of the EU summit does not speak of security guarantees, but of security commitments, which as a rule do not mean direct military support. Specifically, it states: “The European Union and Member States stand ready to contribute, together with partners, to future security commitments towards Ukraine that will help Ukraine to defend itself in the long term, deter acts of aggression and resist destabilization efforts.” be checked quickly.
The situation for Ukraine could change if it is eventually admitted to the EU as intended. Then the country would be able to claim Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty. It states that “in the event of an armed attack on the territory of a Member State, the other Member States shall owe it all the assistance and assistance in their power”.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz initially only briefly commented on the subject of security guarantees on Thursday. “Germany has been engaged in such discussions with Ukraine with its closest allies for a long time,” he said. “We will continue to do so.”