European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell asserted on Monday that Moscow will lose the war against Ukraine, a stance he described with firmness as the conflict unfolds. He emphasized that, morally, politically, and even militarily, Russia is on the losing side, a judgment voiced during a gathering of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg where officials prepared to approve a substantial training mission for Ukrainian forces and new funding to empower Kyiv with weaponry. The message from the head of European diplomacy was clear: ongoing support for Ukraine is essential.
In this setting, ministers are poised to authorize a robust military training mission designed to build up Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Borrell outlined a plan to train around 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers beginning in mid-November and continuing over the ensuing two years, a coordinated effort that seeks to complement existing defensive efforts. The training will not occur on Ukrainian soil; instead, it will be conducted in EU member states that choose to participate in the mission, with Spain among those contributing. This initiative is intended to augment separate training programs already carried out by Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and allies in the United States as part of a broader, multinational effort to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces.
Additionally, ministers are expected to sign off on a fresh 500 million euro allocation from the European Peace Facility to support arms shipments to Ukraine. In total, the European Union has earmarked 3 billion euros for military assistance since the Russian invasion began on February 24, a figure intended to sustain long-term aid in response to Moscow’s aggression. Borrell noted the continuing challenges posed by Russian strikes, describing them as troubling news for Kyiv while acknowledging the broader strategic context of the conflict.
The high representative did not explicitly identify the drones used by Russia as originating from Iran, stating that this is a topic for discussion and that concrete evidence would be examined as it becomes available. He also noted Iran’s denials regarding any direct involvement. The discussion will consider the available intelligence and the implications for regional security and EU policy. The situation has also prompted the EU to maintain a clear separation between Iran’s governmental actions and the sanctions the bloc is ready to impose on those responsible for pressure against demonstrators protesting the death of Mahsa Amini.
The European Union’s approach to Iran remains pragmatic, as Borrell stressed that expectations about immediate progress on the nuclear negotiation track should be tempered by the realities of diplomatic engagement. While not discounting future talks, he cautioned that breakthroughs depend on a comprehensive assessment of Tehran’s commitments and behavior. In Luxembourg, officials reiterated the importance of coordinated diplomacy and persistent pressure alongside open channels for negotiation, seeking to preserve the possibility of advancing the nuclear accord while safeguarding regional stability.