EU: Putin’s threats will not shake our resolve and unity to stand with Ukraine

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest escalation by Russia of its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, a Declaration by EU High Representative Josep Borrell says today. The Declaration was issued following an emergency special meeting of European Union foreign ministers convened in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. 

“On 21 September, Russia chose a path of confrontation by announcing a partial mobilisation in Russia, by supporting the organisation of illegal ‘referenda’ in the Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia and by threatening again with the use of weapons of mass destruction,” says the Declaration.

In his remarks to the press following the meeting, Josep Borrell added that EU ministers found it is quite cynical and shocking to hear such threats specifically on World Peace Day.

“It is clear that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine. He is trying to destroy the whole country by different means since he is failing militarily,” said Borrell, adding that Putin’s threats would not shake the EU determination: “They will not shake our resolve, our unity to stand by Ukraine, and our comprehensive support to Ukraine’s ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as long as it takes.”

He added that new restrictive measures against Russia would be brought forward as soon as possible in coordination with the EU’s partners.

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Press release