“With Russia’s increased military build-up, I am here to show EU support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support sustained reform efforts that are key for resilience.” tweeted Josep Borrell High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the EU Commission as his visit to Ukraine began on Jan. 4. 2022.
The European Union has provided many billions of euros in financial support to Ukraine over the past few years as well as increasing trade, supporting the Ukrainian Army to defend against cyber attacks and to improve logistical skills according to Borrell in an interview with ‘WELT’, shared by Ukrinform on Jan 5.
The diplomat stressed that many dangerous scenarios of concern exist for Ukraine in relation to potential aggression from the Russian Federation; including further escalation in the East, hybrid attacks to de-stabilise the government and a reduction of gas transit to Europe.
He assured readers that European and American intelligence agencies are working on solutions to these threats.
“A military invasion cannot be completely ruled out, but there are many other scenarios, of which I’m also concerned, even though they are less extreme.” said Borrell.
He said that the E.U. has studied and observed the needs of Ukraine and is considering the establishment of a Military Advisory and Training Mission in Ukraine which would deploy European military instructors to train Ukrainian Army commanders, and that he will soon put forward this proposal to E.U. member states.
The E.U. leader drew attention to the work of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) that has been working full time in Ukraine since 2014 to help to reform the police, the civil security sector and the prosecutor’s office, according to the same report, along with a comment that the support of the E.U. makes Ukraine more resilient to external and internal threats.
Affirming Ukraine’s legal right to cooperate with any nations that it chooses to cooperate freely with, the diplomat pointed out that Russia’s demands for ‘security guarantees’ come with some unacceptable conditions, especially for Ukraine.
Russian ‘security guarantees’ impact upon the future security of Ukraine by demanding that the the E.U. and NATO exclude Ukraine from future membership.
In relation to upcoming talks between the Russian Federation and the United States about security in Ukraine and the E.U., Borrell reportedly said that it is absurd that Russia is trying to negotiate European security without involving Europe in the discussions. And he underlined that Europe must be part of any discussions relating to European security.
In a tweet from Ukraine on Dec. 4, Borrell underlined that “Ukraine is free to choose its political and security alliances and partnerships”.
How are Ukraine E.U. Relations working? “In helicopter with Josep Borrell taking off to Luhansk region. First ever EU HR/VP visit to Donbas since Russia launched this war. Sign of Ukraine-EU unity in the face of elevated Russian threats and the strength of our diplomacy for peace, security and justice in Europe.” tweeted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Jan. 5.
“No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine.“
wrote Ukraine's Foreign Minister, on the same day, “On January 10th I will visit Brussels for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Comission. Part of a wide diplomatic effort to deter further Russian aggression.”
Minister Kuleba clearly expressed his position to allies in late December as “Peace, security and stability in Europe will not defend themselves. Only our timely and collective action will. Deterrence is the right way to make Russia de-escalate”, and he urged allies to “act collectively and proactively.”
Over the last weeks and months, messages of support to Ukraine from all over the world have been received, and intensive diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine, partners and allies have been ongoing, with a view to supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine along with using defence, deterrence and diplomacy approaches to discourage another Russian invasion of Ukraine.
