Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden has reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression. Following an EU summit on Friday, Frieden emphasized the necessity of sustained military and financial aid to Ukraine, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions could expand beyond Ukrainian borders if unchecked.
Frieden’s remarks came as EU leaders agreed to impose stricter controls on Russian citizens seeking tourist visas, aiming to limit their numbers without a complete ban. He noted that he would work with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel to devise Luxembourg’s strategy for implementing this measure.
The summit also addressed European migration policy, although no consensus was reached among the leaders. Frieden advocated for a balanced approach, cautioning against blaming migration for Europe’s social and economic issues. He highlighted progress under the EU’s asylum and migration framework, such as a decrease in irregular entries and an increase in the return of individuals without the right to remain in Europe.
Frieden stressed the importance of legal migration to Europe’s economy, especially for Luxembourg, where foreign workers are crucial to fulfilling labor market needs. He called for coordinated European policies to manage irregular migration effectively.