Borrell on Russian aggression: We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst

20.12.2021 10:28

Ukrinform

Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, believes that Europe needs to be ready to take decisive action against Russia in case of an attack on Ukraine, Ukrinform reports with reference to Borrell’s blog.

According to Borrell, Russia’s ultimate intentions are not clear, except that it seeks to threaten and weaken Ukraine. The chief EU’s diplomat believes that different scenarios can unfold.

“As I said in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, we have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We cannot exclude Russia’s desire to use this crisis as leverage for its declared purpose to reshape the security framework in Europe, also excluding the Europeans from the discussions,” the High Representative of the Union writes.

He also notes that Europe should be ready for decisive action.

“We know that words and statements alone are not enough to change the calculus of the Russian leadership and that is why it is so important that EU leaders decided to roll over existing economic sanctions and warned that any Russian move against Ukraine would carry heavy consequences,” Borrell underscores.

As a reminder, the European Union is united in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will send a clear signal to Moscow of its readiness to act decisively in case of any military action by Russia against Ukraine.