The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated during his visit to Washington that the critical period for determining the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine would be this spring and summer.
Borrell emphasized the urgency of providing additional support to Ukraine, especially in light of potential uncertainties surrounding future US military aid.
Borrell highlighted the need for both the EU and the US to expedite their support for Ukraine, Reuters reports. He mentioned that the EU is enhancing its defense industrial capabilities to provide more efficient assistance.
“Whatever has to be done, it has to be done quickly. It’s true for us. We have to speed up. We have to increase our support, to do more and quicker. That’s why we are increasing our industrial defense capacities. And it is also true for the US,” Borrell said.
“The next months will be decisive. Many analysts expect a major Russian offensive this summer,” he added.
With expectations of a Russian offensive in the upcoming months, Borrell stressed that Ukraine cannot afford to wait for the results of the next US elections to receive support. He pointed out that President Joe Biden has been a proponent of military aid to Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In contrast, former President Donald Trump, who is likely to be Biden’s Republican opponent in the November 5 US election, has adopted a more isolationist stance.
Borrell also noted that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, an ally of Trump, has yet to schedule a vote on a bill that would allocate an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.
