Opinion

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, held a conversation, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, assuring him that EU supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This comes amid Russian build-up of troops on Ukraine’s border alarming NATO.

Borrell, posted on Twitter, highlights of his phone call with Kuleba: “Talked to Ukraine Foreign Minister @DmytroKuleba. Following with severe concern the Russian military activity surrounding Ukraine. Unwavering EU support for sovereignty & territorial integrity. Will further discuss with @DmytroKuleba and EU Foreign Ministers at next FAC.”

Kuleba also posted on Twitter about their discussion: “Key issue of our call today with @JosepBorrellF was Russia’s aggravation of the security situation. “EU is behind you”, Josep Borrell said expressing support of Ukraine’s sovereignty & territorial integrity, and invited me to take part in EU Foreign Affairs Council on April 19th.”

Multiple high-level phone calls, between United States and Ukraine, have also taken place over the past several days, including between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden.

US President Biden “affirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea”, in a phone call on Friday, according to the White House statement.

Over the past few weeks, Russian military movements have been spotted in several locations, heading for Ukraine’s border. Disinformation on Russian state media, has also been increasing over the past week, with both politicians and propagandists, moving to war footing and discussing “provocations” being planned by Ukraine, which are complete lies. Russia is threatening to respond to these non-existent provocations, by Ukraine. As predicted, Russia manufactured a “provocation” by Ukraine over the weekend, and various social media accounts, as well as influencers, began pushing this false attack with fabricated evidence.

Also, over the weekend, images appeared online of Russian army trucks, masking their license plate and unit, near Rostov, Russia, reminiscent to 2014, before Russia invaded Ukraine. These developments are extrememly concerning and something to monitor very closely. It is important that Europe and United States have sent a message of solidarity with Ukraine, to Russia, to show the Kremlin that any thoughts of further invading Ukraine, will have consequences. Both also need to lay out the consequences to Russia, should Russia proceed with a further military incursion. Will keep monitoring and update as events unfold.