European Union faces It faces serious problems against the backdrop of anti-Russian sanctions. In an interview with an Austrian newspaper, Kronen Zeitung Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said:
“Russia is in trouble”
Commenting on the journalist’s suspicion that some of the Austrian people are skeptical of the sanctions against Moscow, the journalist pointed out that the measures brought by Brussels limited the economic opportunities of the Russian Federation.
“As long as the Russian economy depends on oil and gas, they will need our technology. Russia is in trouble.
And of course, we face serious problems in the short term. It is undeniable that gas prices have risen. But we must be prepared to pay the price for freedom. Because the war in Ukraine is not only a war of the Ukrainians, it is also a war for our freedom,” he said.
The politician described the current energy crisis as the biggest ever in Europe. “First the debt crisis, then the epidemic, now energy. The only solution is unity,” he said.
Democracy Crisis
Borrell agrees that the current situation is also a global crisis of democracy. “Yes. Authoritarian regimes are on the rise. Former empires are back.
Russia wants to return to tsarism, China and Turkey adhere to imperial views.
And here the solution can only come through unity. “Not everyone can survive on their own,” said the head of European diplomacy.
Answering a question about the possibility of creating the EU Armed Forces, he assured that none of the 27 armies (EU member states – socialbites.ca) would be replaced by the combined European forces.
“We need to join forces, coordinate our actions and invest better in defense. Never never. We spend as much on defense as China, four times as much as Russia. As a result of the debt crisis, we have entered the phase of disarmament. As a result, we are unable to cope with current challenges. Efficiency is key Otherwise, it’s just a waste of money,” Borrell explained.
“Drama, Tragedy, Pain”
The addressee of the publication also explained what has changed for the European Union from the very beginning. Russian special operations in Ukraine.
“For us, the war in Europe was far away. Now the drama, the tragedy, the pain are back.”
It was also noted that Poland and the Baltic states have been warning about “Russian aggression” for many years.
“History and geography are of great importance in understanding the crisis. Geographically and historically, Lithuania is more concerned about Russia than southern Spain. They’re worried about North Africa. But in Europe we have to solve problems together, not separately,” says Borrell.
“Europe must learn the language of power”
According to him, Europe was founded as a peace project, but under the current conditions it should have learned the “language of power”.
“This is not just about military strength. Europe was founded as a peace project. From Violence to Persuasion, Commerce and Human Rights. Trade brings interdependence and should lead to peace. Human rights are freedom and respect. Today this is no longer enough. Russia uses trade as a weapon.
“The war in Ukraine is not only a war of the Ukrainians, but also a war for our freedom,” he said.
For him, the EU is a world superpower economically and morally, but not militarily. “The world has become a dangerous place. “EU members should understand that we need to protect ourselves if necessary and we need the tools to do that,” he said.
However, as journalist Kronen Zeitung points out, neutral states, including Austria, are skeptical of the EU’s military orientation.
“Neutrality today is not what it was during the Cold War. Current neutrality does not prevent Austria from participating in peacekeeping missions. For example Mali, Bosnia and Mozambique,” Borrell said.
Talking about the plan for a military training mission in Ukraine, which will be presented at the meeting of EU defense ministers next week, the head of European diplomacy explained that the Ukrainian army should know how to use the weapons that the Europeans supply to Kiev.
“We support the Ukrainian army with the supply of weapons. You need to train them to know how to use them. It’s a logical step,” he said. According to him, Ukrainian soldiers are already being trained in Europe.
What will the world be like in 5 years?
Borrell stated that he doesn’t know what the world will be like in five years, given the current geopolitical challenges.
“The world has given me enough trouble in the last five weeks,” he finished.
Europe will not survive the conflict in Ukraine it will take at least one more yearSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented on the situation regarding the energy crisis, in a statement the previous day. According to him, no European country can cope with it due to record high gas prices. At the same time, few people believe that the Russian economy it will take six months After the outbreak of military conflict in Ukraine, observers of The Economist wrote in turn.