We must build a stronger Europe: Borrell, who spent the morning in a shelter due to Russian attacks, discussed the implications of a Trump victory.
The election of Donald Trump as the new president of the USA demonstrates that the world is changing, and Europe must become stronger. It is currently impossible to predict whether the new administration in the States will halt weapon supplies to Ukraine. However, the European Council has reaffirmed the EU's commitment to support Ukraine.
This was stated by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in an interview with "European Truth." According to him, Trump's election will impact Ukraine, the Middle East, and China.
“The election of Donald Trump in the USA shows that people are beginning to perceive politics differently and even relate to the truth in a new way. Deep transformations are occurring in the world, the geopolitical balance is shifting, but at the same time, democratic societies are also changing,” he noted.
For Europe, this should also serve as an opportunity for awakening. The head of European diplomacy called on European countries to unite and build a stronger bloc.
“We must realize that we cannot entrust our security to anyone else and must take care of it ourselves. If Europe wants to maintain influence in the world, it must be more united. We need to build a stronger Europe,” Borrell emphasized.
According to him, EU leaders also agreed with this view during the summit in Poland. Hungary also supports this position. At the same time, he assured that Trump's victory in the USA will influence Ukraine, the Middle East, and China.
“There will definitely be changes. However, we do not know how deep they will be, as Trump's team has not yet begun its work. In some matters, there is certainty: for example, it is clear that there will be US decisions related to international trade, tariffs will be imposed on Chinese products, and tariffs on products from the EU. But we do not know what the US policy towards Ukraine will be,” he remarked.
Borrell added that he cannot predict whether the Trump administration will stop aid to Ukraine – that administration does not even exist yet. Nevertheless, he noted that the European Council has confirmed the EU's commitment to support Ukraine.
“The ten-year security agreement that the EU signed with Ukraine in June remains in effect. We have supported and will continue to support Ukraine. And we will do this not because we are very friendly and generous – but because it is in our interest! The security of Ukraine is part of our security,” the diplomat emphasized.
He also noted that the EU is not a military alliance, but that does not mean countries do not provide security guarantees to each other. The bloc has certain provisions regarding solidarity.
“Our treaty includes articles stating that if one of the members suffers aggression, the others must provide support. Some believe this is equivalent to Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Others say it is not such an obvious similarity. But no one denies that there is an article requiring all member states to demonstrate solidarity if someone is attacked,” Borrell said, adding that support for Ukraine would be greater if it were a member of the EU.
Borrell spent the morning in a shelter due to an EU attack
Josep Borrell is currently on a visit to Kyiv. However, the morning of Monday, November 11, began for him in a shelter due to a Russian attack. He himself reported this on X and shared a photo.
“I start my day in Kyiv in a shelter, as Russia carries out another missile attack. This is the daily reality for the Ukrainian people since the full-scale invasion of Russia,” he wrote.
Starting my day in Kyiv in the shelter, as Russia unleashes another missile attack.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 11, 2024
This is the daily reality for the Ukrainian people since Russia‘s full-scale invasion. pic.twitter.com/4h3Yrljrxy
Overall, Borrell has been in Kyiv since November 9. He has also reported that the EU will take measures regarding North Korea to deter further interference from Pyongyang in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.