Vitaly Sayenko18:17, 09.11.24

The high representative of the EU stressed that Ukraine does not need applause for bravery, but tanks, fighter jets, anti-aircraft defense and shells for further protection against Russian aggression.

The High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, publicly called to allow Ukraine to strike with long-range weapons at military facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

According to the correspondent of UNIAN, top diplomat of the EU Borrell said this at a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiga in Kyiv.

Borrell said he came to Kyiv to emphasize that the European Union’s support for Ukraine is unwavering, as Ukraine must continue to defend itself against Russian aggression.

“From the first day, I clearly said that Ukraine does not need applause. President Zelenskyi and the Ukrainian people do not need thunderous applause. They do not need to be told every time that they are brave and that their struggle is very important. It is good to talk about it, but it is important to give tanks , fighters, anti-aircraft defense and ammunition,” Borrell emphasized.

The top diplomat of the EU noted that you cannot fight a war without ammunition and without the military potential you need.

At the same time, he noted that the Ukrainians demanded more weapons and faster deliveries.

“That has been my constant call. We must do more and faster, and that is still true. We must do more and faster – more military support, more training opportunities, more funds, faster supplies, and authorization to strike enemy military targets at its territory,” Borrell emphasized.

He metaphorically added that it is not enough to shoot down “arrows”, because you need to attack “archers”.

Borrell emphasized that he wants to insist on granting Ukraine permission to use Western long-range weapons to attack Russian military facilities:

“We can’t just knock down arrows. We do a lot of that. We have to eliminate archers.”

He also stated that it is necessary to speed up delivery and reduce self-imposed “red lines”.

According to him, time is measured by human lives, because Ukraine is losing human lives while the daily debate is about how much aid will be provided to Ukraine.

At the same time, as Borrell said, only a just and lasting peace is important for Ukraine.

“And in this regard, our position is clear: Ukraine must decide when to sit down at the negotiating table and for what purpose. And the European Union stands firmly on your side in this. But do not be naive, Putin does not want negotiations, and will not negotiate , until he is forced to do it,” Borrell stressed.

Separately, he said that the European Union supported Ukraine in a military plan for a total amount of about 45 billion dollars:

“And we know we need to continue to increase our support.”

He also said that the EU has begun to use profits from Russian frozen assets to purchase weapons and to invest in Ukrainian arms production. In his opinion, own production of weapons is much more efficient than purchasing them from others.

(c)UNIAN 2024