Borrell: EU has “weakened the war machine” of Russia

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that he does not see any possibility of a quick end to the Ukrainian conflict. The head of European diplomacy spoke about this during a speech at the EU-Central Asia investment forum.

According to Borrell, there is now “no light at the end of the tunnel” in the conflict. The fighting continues, its intensity is increasing, the diplomat believes. According to Borrell, the EU has greatly “weakened the military machine” of the Russian Federation through sanctions and foreign policy pressure, but this is not enough. The EU’s chief diplomat also stressed that the Ukrainian conflict allowed Brussels to turn its attention to the countries of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

At the same time, Borrell noted that cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia contributes to strengthening the sanctions regime against Moscow. This, in turn, brings peace closer, the head of European diplomacy is sure. In addition, Brussels is closely monitoring trade, economic and financial relations between the countries of the post-Soviet space and Russia. Any schemes to circumvent sanctions will be limited, Borrell emphasized.

The EU-Central Asia Forum brings together the countries of the European Union, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Brussels hopes to strengthen economic relations with the Central Asian states to strengthen the community’s foreign policy influence in the region.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky spoke about the long-term end to the conflict. According to Zelensky, the fighting could continue for decades. Kyiv refuses to enter into any negotiations with Russia. At the same time, the Zelensky administration is ready to consider exclusively the option of returning Ukraine to the 1991 borders.