Yesterday, so-called “authorities”, appointed illegitimately by Russia in the territories of Ukraine it militarily occupies, announced preparations for illegal “referenda”. This is Russia’s attempt to legitimise its illegal military control and aims to forcibly change Ukraine’s borders in clear violation of the UN Charter and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The European Union strongly […]
Josep Borrell about the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the law on Foreign Affairs
Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of the signing by President Putin of the law on “foreign agents”, a decade shaped by the Russian authorities’ growing fear of critical voices from within Russian society. This law was the first of several legislative measures, including the law on “undesirable organisations” in 2015 and the 2022 “fake news […]
Josep Borrel visits the European Union Satellite Center in Spain
On 4 July 2022, SatCen had the pleasure of hosting H.E. HR/VP Josep Borrell at the Centre as well as the Heads of International Agencies in Spain. Representatives included the European Investment Bank, EFCA (The European Fisheries Control Agency), Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, FRONTEX (European Border and Coast Guard Agency), EUSPA (European […]
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council – 20 May 2022
The Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration held a discussion on the looming global food security crisis generated by the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, and the related multilateral response. Ministers were informed about the gravity of the situation and its implications worldwide. In 2021, Russia and Ukraine were among the top world […]
Anniversary of the Chornobyl accident: Joint statement by Borrell and Simson
“Thirty-six years ago, the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant led to one of the most horrific nuclear incidents in history. This long-lasting tragedy has had widespread consequences in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and in other parts of Europe, causing fatalities, human suffering, long-term health damage, food shortages, and polluting the environment. Some 350,000 people […]
President of the European Commission and High Representative visited Kyiv
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Borrell visited Kyiv, to reaffirm European solidarity with Ukraine and to announce additional support for its defense against Russia’s aggression. They met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal and visited the town of Bucha. “There are two words to describe what […]
The European Union declared 19 diplomats personae non-gratae
Based on the decision by High Representative Josep Borrell, 19 members of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the EU in Brussels have been declared personae non-gratae for engaging in activities contrary to their diplomatic status. The European Union is acting in response to the illegal and disruptive actions by designated members of the […]
Josep Borrell’s statement on the alignment of some countries regarding measures threatening Ukraine’s independence.
On 10 March 2022, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/411[1]. The Council decision extends the Decision until 15 September 2022 and amends the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania[2], the country of the Stabilisation […]
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Russian atrocities committed in Bucha
The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the reported atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in a number of occupied Ukrainian towns, that have now been liberated. Haunting images of large numbers of civilian deaths and casualties, as well as destruction of civilian infrastructures show the true face of the brutal war […]