Ukraine's fate to shape EU's future as support intensifies Foreign policy chief says

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the future of Ukraine will directly impact the future of the European Union.

His remarks came during a press conference following the EU defence ministers' meeting in Brussels, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"Most ministers agreed that Ukraine's fate will determine the fate of the European Union. Exactly so," Borrell said, underscoring the importance of supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict.

Borrell emphasized that the EU must continue its assistance to Ukraine for as long as necessary, and that this support should be expanded to meet the country's needs. He framed Ukraine's struggle as pivotal not only for its sovereignty but for the broader security and stability of Europe.

EU countries have provided Ukraine with a total of €45 billion in military support, fulfilling a delayed commitment to deliver 1 million shells and organize training for 65,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

During the press conference, top diplomat Borrell stated that EU member states currently allocate 1.9 per cent of their GDP to defence. While the original goal was to raise this figure to at least 2 per cent, Borrell emphasized that, in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is now crucial for EU countries to increase defence spending even further.

On November 19, during a debate in the European Parliament marking 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, several EU officials argued that the bloc must ramp up its support for Ukraine. They also called for the abandonment of "red lines" that have proven to be too costly to maintain, urging the EU to take stronger, more decisive action in the face of the crisis.

By Vafa Guliyeva