Brussels — The European Union's chief government says the 27-nation bloc will shut its airspace to Russian airways, fund provides of weapons to Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media shops in response to Russia's invasion.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated Sunday that "for the primary time ever, the European Union will finance the acquisition and supply of weapons and different tools to a rustic that's beneath assault."
Von der Leyen added that "we're shutting down the EU airspace for Russians. We're proposing a prohibition on all Russian-owned, Russian registered or Russian-controlled plane. These plane will no extra be capable of land in, take off or overfly the territory of the EU."
She stated additionally the EU will ban "the Kremlin's media machine. The state-owned Russia Immediately and Sputnik, in addition to their subsidiaries, will not be capable of unfold their lies to justify Putin's warfare and to sow division in our union."
Von der Leyen added that the EU will goal Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for supporting Russia's widespread army marketing campaign in Ukraine.
"We'll hit Lukashenko's regime with a brand new package deal of sanctions," she stated.
The announcement got here after Germany stated Sunday it was committing 100 billion euros, or about $113 billion, to a particular armed forces fund and would maintain its protection spending above 2% of GDP any further, a transfer introduced on by Russia's invasion.
The announcement, which got here hours earlier than Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces placed on alert, underscored how Russia's warfare on Ukraine was rewriting Europe's post-World Conflict II safety coverage in ways in which had been unthinkable just a few weeks in the past.
Anti-war protesters, in the meantime, took to the streets in Berlin, Rome, Prague, Istanbul and different cities — even Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg — to demand an finish to the warfare, the biggest floor offensive on the continent since WWII.
Tens of hundreds of individuals massed Sunday in entrance of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, with some carrying posters with slogans equivalent to "Fingers off Ukraine," "Tanks to Windmills" and "Putin, go to remedy and go away Ukraine and the world in peace."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's announcement of recent protection funding is important for Germany, which has come beneath criticism from america and different NATO allies for not investing adequately in its protection price range. NATO member states dedicated to spending 2% of their GDP on protection, however Germany has persistently spent a lot much less.
"It is clear we have to make investments considerably extra within the safety of our nation, with the intention to shield our freedom and our democracy," Scholz advised a particular session of the Bundestag in Berlin.
Scholz stated the 100 billion euro fund was presently a one-time measure for 2022. It wasn't instantly clear whether or not comparable funding can be allotted in future years. However Scholz indicated Germany will exceed the two% of GDP threshold going ahead, signaling an total future improve in protection spending.