Foreign and European Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo continued to strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine during the Foreign Affairs Council video-conference on 27 February.  

On the EU’s proposal to provide assistance to Ukraine, Minister Bartolo highlighted Malta’s constitutional neutrality when it came to supporting provisions of lethal equipment.

However, in the spirit of mutual solidarity, Malta would not stop this process and would support Ukraine in other means through humanitarian assistance including the provision of medicines.

Finally, Minister Bartolo also expressed Malta’s full support on further financial sanctions on Russia as well as the EU’s proposal to decouple certain Russian banks from the SWIFT system.

He also informed of Malta’s decision to close its airspace to Russian aircraft in line with actions taken by other EU Member States.