By BRUSSELS. Nov 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) – EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell has announced the launch of a military support mission to train at least 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
He said this at a press conference after the meeting of the European Council on Foreign Affairs in Brussels on Monday. He said that they are united in their support for Ukraine and the best proof of this is that they are launching an auxiliary military mission to train at least 15,000 thousand Ukrainian soldiers. According to him, it was decided, agreed and executed in a very short time. This is the first time when he sees a military support mission organized as quickly as this one. He also expressed hope that at the end of the month this mission would begin its work.
The High Representative stated that the EU’s first priority is to continue supporting Ukraine. He said they were listening to Minister Kuleba, who joined them, regarding the latest developments and it was an opportunity to confirm to him that the EU stands with Ukraine until the Ukrainian victory on its parameters.
The High Representative assured that the EU would continue to isolate Russia internationally, take restrictive measures against the Russian economy. He added that they are ready to strengthen restrictive measures, targeting third countries involved [in the support of the Russian Federation], especially those that, as they know, provide weapons and military support – Iran and Belarus. Recalling that a week ago the EU had already imposed sanctions on Iran for the supply of drones that the Russian Federation uses in the war against Ukraine, Borrell said they would take further steps if necessary.
He expressed confidence that EU sanctions weaken Russia’s ability to wage a war of terror against the Ukrainian people. The High Representative said that Putin’s Russia wants to leave Ukraine in the darkness and cold by destroying the energy system, that is why millions of Ukrainians do not have electricity, which is according to Borrell is an inhuman situation. He promised to continue supporting the Ukrainian people.
Borrell also said that together with the Commission, the available options to the EU are being considered in order to guarantee responsibility for the crimes committed. Borrell believes that Putin is not capable of conquering Ukraine, he is not either able to defeat the Ukrainian army, therefore, he is retreating. The High Representative said that Putin is trying to compensate for this military failure by efforts aimed at increasing the human suffering of the Ukrainian people, especially in light of the approaching winter. He said they are working with their partners to replace the destroyed Ukrainian infrastructure.
