“We seek the widest possible international condemnation and isolation of Russia,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in an interview with the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He noted that support for Ukraine was overwhelming in the UN General Assembly. Borel noted that the division of the European point of view could not be taken for granted because of Russia’s influence in Africa, based on a romantic mistake about Moscow, and because it understood that the new war did not directly affect the East.
According to him, statements against Europe in the Balkan countries, where a strong Russian presence is clearly visible, require special attention. He clarified that such influence is observed especially in countries that do not apply European sanctions against Moscow.
“There is nothing more geopolitical and strategic than energy, unity in the EU on this issue is difficult, we need to end our dependence on Russian energy,” Borel said.
“There is nothing more geopolitical and strategic than energy, unity in the EU on this issue is complicated, dependence on Russian energy must end,” Borel said.
Borel called the Gulf countries a strategically important region for the EU.
The High Representative noted that war should be seen not only as a struggle for principles but also for power. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was primarily a violation of international rules, a blow to us all. Russian President Vladimir Putin is using Ukrainian refugees as a means of inflicting damage, which is part of his strategy,” he added.
“Without the weapons provided to the Ukrainian side, the losses in Ukraine would be much greater. The war could end tomorrow by military means, but this is not our proposal,” Borel said.