Prime Minister Robert Abela said Saturday that "it would be a mistake" for Europe to distance itself from the US and its President Donald Trump, as its interest in Ukraine's minerals itself would guarantee long-term security in the country.

Abela spoke in an interview on the Labour Party's station ONE, during which he said that if Trump manages to reach the minerals deal with Ukraine, then it would be in his interest to strengthen his credibility by reaching a long-term security deal and preserve the strength of the deal he managed to acquire.

"If a deal is reached, this means the US has an interest in Ukraine, will enter and move operations to Ukraine, and that in itself is a guarantee of security, that the US will protect its interests and that of Ukraine," Abela said.

"Does the EU truly want a ceasefire, and peace? Or is there a division between us? The unity is not there, there are those who want a permanent ceasefire, and those who want Ukraine to win. Ukraine winning is not realistic, and Europe is now at a crossroads," Abela said.

Abela spoke about last Thursday's special EU summit, which was split into two diverging yet separate subjects; Ukraine on the one hand, and Europe's defence on the other.

On Thursday, European leaders, save from Hungary, agreed to a defence spending surge to support Ukraine against Russia, after military support from the US waned.

While Malta did vote in favour of an €800 billion plan to increase Europe's defence spending, it did negotiate to include safeguards in both documents that Malta will not, under any circumstance, buy or borrow money to purchase lethal weapons, tanks and ammunition.

It will not be producing ammunition itself either, Abela said. For him, it was a decision of principle, towards the principle of "peace first," he said.

Abela said that even the name given to the EU instrument was "immensely worrying," which is the defence package named "ReArm Europe."

Abela said he took this to mean arming Europe with lethal weapons, and not just about defence.

He continued that Malta was very clear about its non-alignment and neutrality principle, and the EU Council did accept Malta's conditions that it will not be purchasing lethal weapons, referencing the country's neutrality.

Abela continued that even before the summit, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola had aggressively come out in favour of the defence plan, not only backing it, but also advocating for increased production of ammunition.

"How can Malta, which has 'the best economy' among other Member States, and does not purchase lethal weapons, go towards the 'sector of ending lives' to strengthen our economy?" Abela said, adding that Europe is currently focused on strengthening its economy by increasing weapons and arms.

He acknowledged the fears of certain countries which are geographically closer to Russia or other wars, and that is why Malta's vote was a "wise one."

Abela said that while Malta managed to obtain everything it could possibly get as safeguards as a country, its vote also meant that it would not be interfering with what other countries do, nor will other countries interfere with what Malta does.

"We also managed to negotiate that that debt the other 25 Member States will get will not be a conjunct debt. We will not be responsible for a single cent of what other countries take," Abela said.

He continued that despite being the smallest Member State, Malta had the courage and persuasion to get the safeguards it wanted, and said that Malta will be proved right in the coming weeks and months.

Abela said that his strategic decision for Malta must remain for future Malta, while unfortunately, Europe is pushing for the weapons industry. He said that peace, diplomacy, and diplomatic relations with other worldly powers must be strengthened.

"I do not have a conscience crisis through our vote. My conscience actually strengthened, as we had the courage to take a position which goes against what was wholly accepted," Abela said.

He continued that people tell him that they do not want to know of any more wars, adding that the equipped Maltese army will remain on the island.

"In the past three years, Ukraine's situation has not improved in the slightest. I made a statement - albeit an unpopular one, that Ukraine will not win the war. We recognise this unjust aggression, but where is the art of diplomacy and compromise?" Abela said.

He said that whoever says Ukraine must win at all costs, "respectfully, does not know what they are saying."

Abela said he believed Ukraine will sign a deal with the US, and the US mineral deal will give guarantees of security.

He said that there are those who are "allergic" to President Trump, but distancing Europe from the US would be a mistake. Abela added he believed Trump could reach an agreement.

Beyond the war in Ukraine, Abela questioned how the EU will then invest in diplomacy to prevent future wars and aggressions. "If there is no wish for peace, there will be huge difficulties," Abela said.

Asked who will stand up for Malta should it ever be attacked by another State, Abela quoted a treaty which obliges all Member States to "protect" another Member State under attack.

He said that Malta had negotiated a clause which in addition to this obligation, there should be the safeguard of observing the constitutional position and limitations of each Member State.

"If, God forbid, we are ever under attack, other Member States are obliged to help us," Abela said.

He said that Malta gave its contribution to Ukraine with non-lethal investment, meaning it provided Ukraine with apparatus which save lives and the proliferation of peace, rather than war weapons.

Abela said that Malta is also investing in defence when it comes to cybersecurity attacks, for example, which could stop the operations of a hospital just as weapons could.

"The biggest investment we must make is in diplomacy, and we gave the prime example on how to invest in diplomacy," Abela said.

He said that when 57 Member States could not agree on which country would lead the OSCE conference, they agreed on Malta, which showed how investing in reputation and credibility on diplomacy can lead to increased trust as well as peace of mind.

Moreover, Malta can also become a catalyst for such important discussions, with Abela saying that Malta will take the Presidency of the Council of Europe in a "critical moment."

He said that no other country is as rigid on its principle of neutrality as Malta is, and this principle cannot be interrupted, as it is the best value for the smallest member state.

Abela said that while he was sure the next formal Council discussions will be about defence, he encouraged collective effort in ensuring a Europe for future generations.

Abela said that Europe's drive towards a "weapons economy" is not what the people want, and the discussions should be about peace, as well as bringing back social themes to discuss.