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“We are here to first show the European Union’s full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Borrell told a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleb.
“Any military aggression against Ukraine will have difficult consequences and high costs,” Borrell warned.
“We are working with ASV, NATO and other like – minded partners to work on de – escalation, “he added.
Kuleba said Ukraine and the EU share a common goal: “to escalate the situation through diplomatic means so that Moscow can ease tensions and abandon its aggressive intentions.”
This is the first visit by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to Eastern Ukraine since the conflict erupted almost eight years ago.
Borrell said the time was right for the visit, as “the geopolitical landscape is changing very rapidly and the conflict on Ukraine’s borders is threatening to deepen.”
Washington and its allies are worried about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Russia has drawn some 100,000 troops from Ukraine’s borders.
Moscow has issued an ultimatum to the West demanding a halt to further NATO expansion to the east, as well as the dismantling of Alliance infrastructure in the so-called new member states, restoring the status quo on 27 May 1997, ie before the first NATO enlargement.
A meeting of the NATO-Russia Council is scheduled for next week to discuss the situation, and two-day talks between US and Russian officials will begin on Sunday.
Brussels is concerned that it has been left out of this negotiation process.
“Europe has no security without Ukraine’s security. And it is clear that the EU and Ukraine must be involved in any discussion on European security,” Borel said.
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