Time.news – The foreign ministers of the European Union have condemned the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine by Russia and have agreed to prepare new sanctions. This was announced by the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, who explained that this package of sanctions will affect new sectors of the Russian economy, including technology.
“Further restrictive measures against Russia will be put forward immediately, as soon as possible, in coordination with our partners,” said Borrell, “Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself against Russian aggression, to regain full control of its territory e has the right to liberate the occupied territories within its internationally recognized borders. And for this, we will continue to support Ukrainian efforts with the supply of military equipment, for as long as necessary, “he added.
Borrell, answering a question about the possibility that some Member States (Hungary for example) will not approve the new package of sanctions, said: “I am sure we will reach a unanimous agreement”.
Foreign ministers, emergency meeting in New York, they also pledged to continue supplying arms to Kiev for as long as necessary in a unanimously adopted declaration. The meeting was called on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists and threatened to use his entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons.
I convened this evening an ad-hoc meeting of EU Foreign Ministers
We decided to bring forward as soon as possible additional restrictive measures against Russia in coordination with partners
We will continue to support #Ukraine’s efforts through provision of military equipment pic.twitter.com/4jTNuXAh3s
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) September 22, 2022
“It is clear that Putin he is trying to destroy Ukraineis trying to destroy the entire country by various means, “Borrell stressed in a press conference at the end of the meeting. According to the Spanish diplomat, Moscow’s latest moves aim to undermine the support Ukraine receives from its allies. and to threaten international peace and security “on an unprecedented scale”.
“But that won’t break ours unity in supporting Ukraine or our broad support for Ukraine’s ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty for as long as necessary, “he insisted. Regarding the new sanctions, Borrell explained that what was agreed is a political agreement, given its informal nature of the meeting, and that formal decisions will be needed to make them concrete and effective.
In the approved statement, European foreign ministers also have condemned plans to organize referendums on annexation to Russia in occupied areas of Ukraine and made it clear that they will never recognize the results. “The EU is firm in its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and calls on Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire Ukrainian territory inside of its internationally recognized borders “, concludes the document.