Luxembourg will continue to support Ukraine, but will not send any more troops

Luxembourg has already given over €50 million in military equipment and financial aid to Ukraine and will continue to do so, following the same approach as in recent weeks.

The difference is that, as decided on Tuesday at the Ramstein summit on Ukraine, this aid will now be significantly more coordinated, as Minister of Defence François Bausch explained during an interview on RTL Radio on Wednesday.

The Grand Duchy, on the other hand, will not send any more troops to Eastern Europe than the six soldiers already stationed in Lithuania. The Minister stated that he is "unaware" of any Luxembourgish volunteers who have gone to fight in Ukraine. Bausch took the opportunity to warn Luxembourgish nationals against doing this.

A 'one-time energy voucher' against soaring prices?

The Deputy Prime Minister also discussed financial assistance to compensate for rising energy prices, stressing the importance of speeding up the energy transition in this regard.

In this context, Bausch welcomed the fact that the reduction in fuel prices is only in force until 31 July. He reiterated that the 7.5 cent reduction at the pump is "absurd", because it does not necessarily benefit those who truly need it. Bausch explained that the government had to find a compromise during the tripartite meeting and the demand for a reduction in fuel taxes came from the trade unions.

Following the reduction in fuel prices, which will expire at the end of July, more targeted measures should be introduced, according to Bausch. The Minister stressed that, generally speaking, the government thinks that "the entire energy transition must be extremely well accompanied socially". The Green Party (Déi Gréng) envisions "doing additional things with the tax credit" or, for example, "issuing a one-time energy voucher."

'High Hopes' for UN Secretary General's mission

The war in Ukraine is one of the factors contributing to the high level of inflation. "This war must end as soon as possible," the Minister stated. Even if Moscow has so far exploited discussions to buy time, Bausch stated that he has "high hopes" for the UN Secretary General's mission to Russia and Ukraine.

Luxembourg continues to support Ukraine as a result of this. The Minister refused to disclose how, only that it "would continue in the same direction" as before. Luxembourg has so far contributed anti-tank weapons, jeeps, and tents, among other things.

An experienced successor to continue 'Carole Dieschbourg's essential work'

Bausch refused to confirm or deny any name in relation to Carole Dieschbourg's succession as Minister for the Environment.

In response to speculation about who would succeed her, such as Stephanie Empain, Tilly Metz, or Djuna Bernard, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that "party politics" would not be at the forefront.

Instead, the search for someone "with the background and commitment to be able to continue Carole Dieschbourg's essential work" would be at the forefront. François Bausch, for one, is sticking to his decision not to seek re-election for a new government mandate. He would, however, accept a mandate as an MP in the upcoming legislative elections of 2023.

During a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, the Green Party announced that it would nominate senior civil servant Joëlle Welfring, the current director of the Environment Agency, as Carole Dieschbourg's successor.