EU, NATO should provide Ukraine with defensive weapons – Rasmussen

The European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance should provide Ukraine with defensive weapons, promote investments in the Ukrainian economy and toughen sanctions against Russia.

Former NATO Secretary General, Adviser to the President of Ukraine Anders Fogh Rasmussen said this at the international conference on development of a safe and stable Ukraine held in Brussels on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Firstly, we must help Ukraine strengthen its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression, we must provide Ukraine with defensive weapons and systems," the former NATO said.

According to Rasmussen, this will be a powerful signal on the eve of the NATO summit in July this year.

Secondly, it is necessary to promote investments in the Ukrainian economy.

"Today Ukraine is very profitable for European investments. Ukraine has done much to improve its investment climate," Rasmussen said.

Thirdly, the West should continue and strengthen the policy of sanctions against Russia.

"The EU should extend sanctions for 12 months in the future, as now they are prolonged for 6 months, and this eliminates uncertainty about the future of sanctions. Personal sanctions against Putin's entourage should be also strengthened," Rasmussen said.

He also emphasized that the European Union should abandon the Russian political project on construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

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