EU’s Josep Borrell Urges Deeper Ukrainian Strikes on Russia to Protect “Decisive” Energy Front

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell, calls for allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, reported The Diplomatic Service of the European Union on September 30.

Borrell stated that the main topics at the recent G7 foreign ministers' meeting in New York were supporting Ukraine ahead of winter and preventing a major humanitarian crisis. “Putin is trying to achieve through an energy collapse what he can not obtain on the battlefield,” Borrell wrote.

According to UN estimates, Ukrainians could face up to 20 hours per day without electricity during the coming winter. “In a few weeks, Ukraine may face a severe emergency, forcing even more Ukrainians to leave their homes and the country,” the EU representative added.

“We are in a race against the next waves of Russian, North Korean and maybe soon Iranian missiles, in addition to drones and glide bombs,” said Borrell.

Borrell added that since the beginning of the full-scale war, European Union provided at least €2 billion in support for Ukraine’s energy security. He called for more air defense systems and interceptors for Ukraine as well as for permission to target military sites in Russia:

“I reiterated the call to allow Ukraine to strike airfields and launch sites in Russia using Western weapons. Let Ukraine target the archers, not just the arrows! Not everyone agrees with this measure yet. However, we have promised to support Ukraine by all means necessary, for as long as it takes, and the energy front will be decisive this winter,” Borrell concluded.

Earlier, Germany allocated €70 million for Ukraine’s decentralized power and heating systems.