Borrell: US and NATO proposals have potential to enhance security in Europe

The EU will stick to its twin tracks of diplomacy and deterrence, and expand its support to Ukraine, says EU’s High Representative, Josep Borrell, in his new blog published on 30 January.

In his article, Borrell mentions that all of last week, the EU’s work on the European security situation and Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine continued, with EU Foreign Ministers meeting and the US and NATO sending their written responses to Russia’s “draft treaties”. According to Borrell, the US and NATO proposals “have the potential – if negotiated in good faith – to enhance security in Europe, while also addressing Russia’s stated concerns through reciprocal commitments”.

Borrell disagrees with the opinion of some commentators saying that the EU is “not at the table” of initial bilateral US-Russia and NATO-Russia meetings on Ukraine and Europe’s security. The EU High Representative says that he has been in close contact with the USA, NATO and OSCE high officials. He added that “the United States and the European Union have been coordinating constantly, informing each other and discussing the next steps to take”.

“We prefer diplomacy and are prepared to move forward if Russia de-escalates its aggression toward Ukraine and approaches discussions about security in Europe in a balanced and reciprocal way,” says Borrell in his blog.

Borrell also highlights that Kremlin disinformation around Ukraine is also intensifying: “In pro-Kremlin narratives, Kyiv is portrayed as a puppet, directed by a war-mongering West and preparing a provocation to start a military operation to reclaim its own territory.”

As part of the EU’s fight against disinformation campaigns emanating from pro-Kremlin outlets,  its experts have identified and debunked more than 5,000 cases targeting Ukraine and exposed the seven most prevalent and dangerous myths about Ukraine.

Find out more

Press release