Transatlantic cooperation in support of Ukraine

On Saturday, January 15, the EU High Representative held a telephone communication with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which, as reported by the European External Action Service, both representatives rejected the Russian initiative to rebuild spheres of influence in Europe and underlined their determination to continue intensive consultations on this and other issues between the United States and the EU, presenting a strong, clear and united transatlantic front.

High Representative Borrell and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and stressed the need for Russia to de-escalate and fully implement the Minsk agreements. They reviewed ongoing preparations for deterrent measures and a strong international reaction with massive consequences for Russia in the event of any further aggression against Ukraine.

They also repeated that the EU and the US remain open to dialogue with Russia, but never at the expense of the freedom, sovereignty and independence of the members of the transatlantic community and its partners, nor at the expense of respect for fundamental values and relevant international obligations.

The foreign ministers of the EU Member States agreed on Friday in Brest to further strengthen coordination with the United States, with NATO and to improve the European Union’s cooperation within the OSCE, and tasked the Vice-President for Foreign Affairs with coordinating these activities.

Source: European External Action Service