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Good day everybody.  

We have an important European Council today.  

First, we are going to discuss defence and what we can do to really boost our own defence.

All the options are on the table when it comes to financing of the defence – from grants to reallocation of the cohesion funds, to also the change of fiscal rules.  

I think this has been pushed for long. This is extremely important because we really need to invest more in defence.  

Second, of course, Ukraine. What more can we do to support Ukraine. We have [an] initiative on the table.

I hope that we reach a political agreement on the support for Ukraine, because we really need to make them stronger so that they are able to end this war on their terms. 
Therefore, they need the European support for this. We have today the decisions. I mean, politically – even if we fill [in] the numbers in the March Council, that comes at the end of March.  

[I am] really looking forward to Europe showing unity and resolve on these very turbulent times.

Q&A. 
Q. High Representative, Marco Rubio did not want to meet with you. What is your proposal to fix the transatlantic relations between the EU and the US administration?  
We have been very long-term allies, we have many relations between us. We definitely need to build on this. I think the [US] administration also looks at us to be stronger. When Europe is stronger, then we are also, in their eyes, stronger partners.

Q. Chancellor Scholz said yesterday that the US should keep a leading role when it comes to peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Does it mean that Europe is not fit for this role anymore? 
No, the war is going on in Europe and it is a question of peace and security in Europe. We need to be counted in when it comes to any kind of deal, when it comes to really ending the war and achieving a long-term peace. We know what is at stake here and we also have on our side something to bring to the table. These discussions are ongoing, [for] the implementation of any kind of deal, Europeans need to be on it.

Q. High Representative, how quickly can you [inaudible] weapons to mobilise [inaudible]?
Well, we are right now making these decisions and we need to do it quickly enough. We just do not have time. And there, well, [by] yesterday apparently is what we need. That is why the initiative that I proposed has also two elements: either you come in with the weapons [and] ammunition that is needed or with the funding to acquire the necessary weapons and ammunition elsewhere. So, I think this is something that we need to do in a really fast track.

Q. What about Hungary’s blockade?  
Yes, this is increasingly difficult. That is why we have on the new initiative also considered the ‘coalition of the willing’, so that one country cannot block everybody else.

Q. What are the odds for Hungary to opt-out of the Ukraine [inaudible]?
I will not speak for Hungary. We are still striving for having the unity of 27 members. And if that is not possible, then Hungary can speak for themselves.

Q. How concerned are you, after President Trump said that he was not helping Ukraine?  
Of course, this is a dangerous gamble with Ukraine's future. That is why we are here today and also discussing what more can we do on the European side. I think we should not underestimate our own power when it comes to Europe, the economic power we have and the strength that we have here. So, we should definitely use the strength that we have.

Q. [inaudible] 
Everybody wants peace, that is very clear. But the peace has to be one that is not bringing more suffering to the Ukrainian people, but also [not] to the Europeans. That is why we are discussing increasing our own defence, that is why we are discussing also increasing the support for Ukraine so that they can end the war on their terms.

Q. [inaudible] 
We are not discussing this today but it is clear that we should not leave the Western Balkans aside. What is happening in the Western Balkans also has an effect on Europe. But yes, today we are not going into those details.  

Thank you.

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