EU chief diplomat visits Ukraine: key details

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made a two-day visit to Ukraine.

“Back in Kyiv for my fourth visit since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion. Here to discuss with our Ukrainian friends the EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine – on military side, on the financial side with the new Ukraine facility, as well as on the EU reform path,” the European diplomat said.

On February 7, Borrell spoke at a plenary session of the Ukrainian Parliament. “Josep Borrell addresses the Verkhovna Rada – the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This is his 6th visit to Ukraine,” wrote MP from the Voice party Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

Borrell’s speech began with a mention of the Revolution of Dignity when the people stood for Ukraine’s European path, said Iryna Herashchenko, co-chair of the European Solidarity faction. 

On the morning of February 7, the EU diplomat met in a bomb shelter due to the massive Russian attack on Ukraine. “Starting my morning in the shelter as air alarms are sounding across Kyiv. This is the daily reality of the brave Ukrainian people since Russia launched its illegal aggression,” Borrell said.

During the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussions focused on Ukraine-EU cooperation in the security sphere, particularly addressing the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the importance of accelerating the implementation of the EU plan to supply 1 million artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

Borrell pledged that the EU would send 1 million artillery ammunition to Ukraine by the end of the current year. The diplomat also emphasized the importance of continuing financial support to Ukraine from the EU.

“Thank you for your team’s visit to Ukraine. Thank you for supporting the Ukrainian people. You have always been with us in difficult moments. In times of challenging situations, you have always been on the side of Ukraine, Ukrainians, in our struggle for life, sovereignty, and independence,” said President Zelenskyy.

The EU diplomat toured a section of Ukraine’s Army of Drones production. Borrell expressed admiration for Ukrainian capabilities in UAV production.

“You don’t need any help with drones. I visited some of your drone manufacturing plants and was very surprised by the ability of your engineers to create high-quality drones in large quantities. And at the end of the war, Ukraine will be at the forefront of a new way of fighting. It’s really amazing. And I think it’s something to be very much taken into account, how a country can have such a production capacity of sophisticated and effective drones from nothing in one year. I have to congratulate you on that,” remarked Borrell.