Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden has underscored the importance of continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression. Speaking at an EU summit on Friday, Frieden warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions could extend beyond Ukraine, emphasizing that yielding to Moscow’s objectives would destabilize the region. He advocated for sustained military and financial assistance to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent further Russian expansion.
During the summit, EU leaders also agreed to tighten restrictions on Russian citizens seeking tourist visas, although a complete ban was not imposed. Frieden noted that he would work with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel to determine how Luxembourg will implement these new measures.
Migration policy was another significant topic at the summit, yet EU leaders did not reach a consensus. Frieden called for a balanced approach, dismissing the notion that migration is broadly to blame for Europe’s social and economic issues. He highlighted the need for coordinated European policies to manage irregular migration effectively.
Frieden pointed to progress within the EU’s asylum and migration framework, noting a reported decline in irregular entries and an increase in the return of people without permission to remain in Europe. He stressed the economic importance of legal migration, particularly for Luxembourg, where foreign workers are crucial to meeting labor market demands.