Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden has reiterated his nation’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, emphasizing the importance of continued European Union assistance. Speaking after the EU summit on Friday, Frieden warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions may extend beyond Ukraine, suggesting that conceding to Russia could lead to Moscow achieving its broader objectives.
Frieden underscored the necessity of ongoing military and financial support to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and to deter further Russian expansion. The EU leaders at the summit also agreed to impose stricter restrictions on Russian citizens seeking tourist visas, aiming to reduce their entry numbers without enforcing an outright ban. Frieden noted plans to collaborate with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel to determine how Luxembourg will implement these measures.
Migration policy was another key focus at the summit, though EU leaders did not reach a consensus. Frieden advocated for a balanced approach, dismissing attempts to broadly attribute Europe’s social and economic issues to migration. He emphasized the importance of addressing irregular migration through coordinated European strategies.
Highlighting recent progress within the EU’s asylum and migration framework, Frieden pointed to a decline in irregular entries and an increase in the return of individuals without legal permission to remain in Europe. He also stressed the significance of legal migration for sustaining Europe’s economy, particularly in Luxembourg, where foreign workers are crucial for meeting labor market demands.