Borrell: Russian invasion the worst thing since the end of the Cold War, and no one knows what will follow
February 25, 2022

Borrell: Russian invasion the worst thing since the end of the Cold War, and no one knows what will follow


The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the worst thing that has happened in Europe since the end of the Cold War, EU High Representative Josep Borrell told journalists as he arrived for tonight’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels – “and nobody knows what is happening afterwards. Nobody knows which are the real intentions of Putin,” he added.

Asked whether the sanctions list would include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the EU High Representative said the decision would be taken by the Council: “And I think that if there are no surprises and nobody objects – because we require unanimity – yes, Putin and Lavrov will be on the list.”

He added: “Let us be serious. We are facing a full-fledged invasion of a country by another one. It is not a special forces operation, like Russia intends us to believe. It is a fully fledged invasion with bombing, killing of civilians, with confrontations between two armies.”

Borrell added it was also important for the UN General Assembly to condemn Russia’s actions. “We are going to embark, with my fellow Ministers, on a diplomatic outreach to everybody in the world in order to build a majority of people voting in the General Assembly against Russia, to condemn Russia.”

“If the United Nations does not condemn what Russia is doing, then it is the law of the jungle. It is the law of the stronger. One that is mighty then invades the others using brutal force. If the United Nations does not condemn the Russian behaviour, then it is the whole international system that is being put in question. That is the real problem.” 

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