EU shuts airspace to Russian airlines, will buy Ukraine arms

BRUSSELS - The European Union agreed Sunday to close its airspace to Russian airlines, spend hundreds of millions of euros on buying weapons for Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets in its latest response to Russia’s invasion, EU officials said.That and Germany’s announcement earlier in the day that it would almost triple its defense budget this year underscored how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was rewriting Europe’s post-World War II security and defense policy in ways that were unthinkable only a few weeks ago.In what he described as "a defining moment for European history," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers had greenlighted the unprecedented support for Ukraine and that those actions would take effect within hours."We have decided to use our capacities to provide lethal arms, lethal assistance, to the Ukrainian army by a value of 450 million (euros) ($502 million) … and 50 more million ($56 million) for non-lethal supplies, fuel, protective equipment," Borrell told reporters.The Russian invasion of Ukraine in its fourth day.

A gas pipeline was destroyed in the city Kharkiv. The capital of Kyiv has continued to fight off a Russian takeover.Borrell said EU defense ministers will discuss Monday how to convert the funds into useful military materiel and ensure that it reaches the Ukrainian armed forces.

He said Poland has agreed to act as a hub to distribute the arms and equipment.The EU ministers also agreed to add several more people and organizations to a growing list of sanctions.

Those included Russian oligarchs whose money, Borrell said, is important for the Russian economy, as well as other key officials, notably those spreading disinformation.