Borrel initiates the establishment of an EU military advisory and training mission in Ukraine
Josep Borrell plans to submit proposals to the European Union to launch an EU military advisory and training mission in Ukraine.
This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in an interview with a German newspaper blister, Ukrinform reports.
According to him, Brussels has the opportunity to introduce an EU military advisory and training mission in Ukraine (EU Military Advisory and Training Mission Ukraine), in which European military instructors would be trained to manage the Ukrainian army.
“We have already assessed on the spot what Ukrainians need, how we can really help, how much such a mission costs and who can take part in our participation. I will soon make a proposal to the EU member states, “Borrel said.
Asked whether the EU should support Ukraine more, Borrel said that the EU had provided Kyiv with billions of euros in financial support in recent years, constantly expanding mutual trade and developing economic relations. “Last week I decided to support the Ukrainian army for another 31 million euros. This is aimed at improving logistics skills and combating cyber attacks, “the High Representative said. He also reminded that since 2014, the EUAM Ukraine mission has employed 80 people who have used reforms in the civil security sector, special policy and the prosecutor’s office. This will help make Ukraine resilient to internal and external threats, the diplomat added.
He did not answer the question, we probably consider Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting only that European and American intelligence services are working on all possible scenarios. “A military invasion cannot be completely ruled out, but there are many other scenarios, and I am also concerned about them, even if they are less extreme,” Borrell said. Among such options, he called the destabilization of the Ukrainian government through hybrid tactics, further escalation in the east of the country, reducing gas transit to Europe.
The High Representative of the European Union also commented on the planned talks between the United States and Russia: “We do not want to be unbiased spectators, through whose heads decisions are made.” According to him, in particular, on how the EU can join the talks between Washington and Moscow on detente the situation around Ukraine and security guarantees required by Russia.
According to Borrel, if Russia wants to talk about security in Europe, then such talks make sense only for the conditions of the EU’s participation in them.
“Everyone who wants to negotiate the future security architecture in Europe must, of course, also talk to Europeans. European security is about us. America and Russia (or NATO and Russia) cannot just negotiate this – even if Moscow is a negotiator… Russia wants to negotiate a European security architecture without the involvement of the European Union – this is absurd. We will not accept this. Nothing is decided about us without our presence, “the diplomat said, emphasizing that there can be no Yalta-2.
Borrel also noted that for the first time Russia set out its proposal in the agreement. “Requirements for security and enlargement of the EU and NATO are a purely Russian agenda with absolutely unacceptable conditions, especially with regard to Ukraine,” he said.
However, he said that the EU could not compromise on fundamental principles: “The territorial integrity of the country and the right of a sovereign state to decide on its own about other countries or alliances – these principles are not negotiable.”
As reported, Joseph is his first foreign visit to Ukraine in the new year.
Photo: European Union