Abroad|The Russian attack
The EU satellite center in Madrid will also start providing intelligence to Ukraine, Borrell promised after the defense ministerial meeting.
Brussels
In the EU fears that Russian pressure on Moldova and Georgia will increase in the near future.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell plans to visit the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, on Wednesday, where he will also meet refugees from Ukraine across the border.
“Moldova is one of the countries we believe the pressure will increase in the coming days,” Borrell said on Monday after the EU defense ministerial meeting.
Borrell also named the Western Balkans a region where Russian attempts to influence can be seen in the near future.
On Monday, EU defense ministers met in a video conference on the EU’s historic arms aid to Ukraine, which was approved on Sunday. EU foreign ministers decided to provide Ukraine with € 450 million in arms aid through the European Peace Facility.
Read more: Borrell, head of EU external relations: EU arms aid to Ukraine even includes fighters – € 450 million worth of weapons to be delivered
Borrellin according to the meeting, it was discussed how this funding will be put into practice. In addition, defense ministers received an overview of a situation in which, according to Borrell, Russia is becoming increasingly ruthless, causing civilian deaths.
“This is a turning point in European integration. Until now, it has been thought that the EU is a community of peace and not a military community that does not supply arms to third countries. That is what we are doing now. This taboo has now fallen, ”Borrell said.
“All member states agreed to increase their arms aid to Ukraine and provide funding to the EU,” Borrell said.
According to Borrell, the member states will agree on coordination, in which Ukraine’s requests for the necessary armaments and supplies will be coordinated with the supply of EU countries. We are also working here with the Defense Alliance, NATO, as soon as possible. Borrell declined to say how the aid would be delivered to Ukraine.
“There is a war now. I’m not saying anything that could benefit Russia. “
According to Borrell, the EU’s satellite center in Madrid has now agreed to distribute intelligence to Ukraine as well.
EU countries are also providing aid in excess of the bilaterally agreed € 450 million.
Read more: Finland decides on additional aid to Ukraine: helmets, bulletproof vests and medical supplies, Estonia allowed to export cannons
Borrell also praised Switzerland’s decision to participate in economic sanctions alongside the EU and other countries. He also warned that the price of sanctions will be tough.
“We have to be willing to pay the price now, because if we don’t, the price will be even tougher in the future.”
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