Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden has reiterated his country’s firm support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression. Following a recent European Union summit, Frieden emphasized the necessity of maintaining military and financial aid to Ukraine to safeguard its sovereignty and curb Russian expansionist ambitions.
Frieden warned against any move to abandon Ukraine, stating that such actions would enable Russian President Vladimir Putin to achieve his objectives beyond Ukrainian borders. The summit saw EU leaders agreeing to tighten restrictions on Russian citizens seeking tourist visas, although a complete ban was not imposed. Frieden indicated that he would work with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel to determine Luxembourg’s strategy for implementing these measures.
Migration policy also featured prominently in the summit discussions, although EU leaders could not reach a consensus. Frieden advocated for a balanced approach to migration, rejecting blanket blame on migration for Europe’s economic and social challenges. He highlighted the importance of addressing irregular migration through unified European policies.
The Luxembourg prime minister noted progress under the EU’s asylum and migration framework, citing a decrease in irregular entries and an uptick in the repatriation of individuals without legal permission to remain in Europe. He underscored the critical role of legal migration in bolstering Europe’s economy, particularly for Luxembourg, where foreign workers are essential to meeting labor market demands.