What the EU Is Saying About Peace In Ukraine: The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell cast doubt on the possibility of a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday, arguing that peace can only be achieved once Russian soldiers are withdrawn from Ukraine.
Speaking to Reuters in Samarkand, a city in Uzbekistan, Borrell said that Russia is not yet prepared to withdraw, making a peace deal impossible.
“I am afraid Russia is not ready to withdraw and as far as it doesn’t withdraw, peace will not be possible,” Borrell said.
“It is Russia who has to make peace possible, the aggressor has to withdraw if he wants a sustainable peace.”
Borrell Confirms European Countries Will Assist With Training
A statement issued by Borrell ahead of the second day of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting earlier this year revealed that all European Union member states are expected to contribute to training efforts in Ukraine.
In the statement, Borrell said that all European countries are expected to contribute to a training mission, designed to prepare the Ukrainian Armed Forces for yet more aggression from Russia.
“[Today] we will also see what and how to push for the practical implementation of the training mission for the Ukrainian army [EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM)]. In less than three months, this mission will be operational. This is a record time for the Europeans. 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in different European Member States. It is going to be a big effort in order to renew, increase, improve the capacities of the Ukrainian army. This mission will be at the core of our military support to Ukraine,” Borrell said.
Russia A State Sponsor of Terrorism
European Union Members of Parliament are set to vote on a motion that would declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The vote is expected to take place on Wednesday, November 23, and could potentially set the stage for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin officials to be held accountable in the event that Russia loses the war.
Ukrainian soldiers stand on top of a tank, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in the frontline city of Lyman, Donetsk region, Ukraine April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
In a briefing shared this week, the European Parliament cited the intensified strikes on civilian targets and energy infrastructure, as well as medical facilities, hospitals, and schools. The European Parliament contends that Russia has violated international law, including international humanitarian law, and that a vote to declare the country a state sponsor of terrorism would “prepare the ground for Putin and his government to be held accountable for these crimes before an international tribunal.”
Jack Buckby is 19FortyFive’s Breaking News Editor. He is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York.
