Josep Borrell: Europe has reached the point of no return in the war with Russia
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has warned that Europe has reached a “point of no return” in the war with Russia in Ukraine.
In a press interview before leaving office, Borrell called on European countries to do more and do faster to support Ukraine.
Borrell noted that the situation on the front isn’t good, stressing that the Russians are advancing slowly but steadily.
He revealed worrying details, including the joining of about 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the battles in the Kursk region.
“We’ve reached a breaking point, now is the time for member states to decide: we go and support,” Borrell said.
Borrell’s comments come at a critical time in the war, with Russian forces making significant territorial gains in the east and increasing their large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and civilian infrastructure.
Contrary to popular belief, Borrell stressed that Russia isn’t internationally isolated, citing the presence of leaders of countries such as China, India and South Africa at the recent summit.
The EU has met its target of providing Ukraine with 1 million rounds of ammunition, but Borrell deemed this insufficient compared to Russia’s 800,000 rounds of ammunition per month.
European defense spending is set to reach 326 billion Euros in 2024, representing 1.9% of the bloc’s GDP.
Borrell also warned of the potential impact of the US elections, especially with Donald Trump’s promises to change his support policy for Ukraine, and called on European countries to mobilize their resources and accelerate support.
He also pointed out that the war in Ukraine is a “race against time,” stressing the need to use the tools available today instead of waiting for future solutions.
He also warned that any potential US withdrawal from support for Ukraine could leave Europe alone to face challenges.
Borrell stressed the importance of winning public support, stressing the need to be honest about the cost of support, saying, “Don’t pretend that this is free, this costs money and perhaps lives”.
