Ahead of an urgent EU Council summit meeting in Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that increasing defence spending will not end the war between Russia and Ukraine, urging the EU to adopt Malta's "peace first" stance.
Abela spoke to journalists ahead of an EU Council special meeting to discuss Europe's support to Ukraine amidst US withdrawal, with a €800 billion defence plan to boost military support to Ukraine.
Abela said he did not believe that more investment towards weapons, ammunition and tanks will result in the end to the war, and the only lasting solution is peace.
He said that the principle EU leaders must follow is that Ukraine was the victim of unjust aggression by Russia, however he disagreed with increased spending in weapons.
"Let us acknowledge that in the past three years, tensions have only escalated. What we did was not sufficient and adequate," Abela said, adding that increased military funding might further escalate tensions.
He continued that this is a unique moment to agree on lasting peace, and while this did not mean that Ukraine will have to emerge from the conflict as "the loser," they cannot go down a path that Ukraine must win at all costs, "as that will not happen."
Abela also said that the United States must be part of the solution, and that Malta will insist against increased spending on defence.
"What will happen if the US stops its funding permanently? Can the EU fill that funding gap? Possibly yes, but how will it do that? Will it increase taxation or slash funding for other sectors? Malta will not accept that," Abela said.
He said that he might be the only one saying such words, but he will do it. Abela also said that it would be a mistake for other countries to take a hard stance approach against the US.
"I do not believe this is a war Europe can fight alone, unless it cuts funding in other sectors," Abela said.
Despite Abela saying that Malta will increase its defence spending last month, he clarified that Malta will not be using these funds to buy lethal weapons.