EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister met in Brussels on 20 January, with the Russian threat to Ukraine foremost on their minds.
Borrell said that Joly shared the EU’s deep concern about the provocative escalation of troops by Russia on Ukraine’s border, threatening its territorial integrity. Joly pointed to the fact that Ukraine’s territorial integrity had already been breached.
Spheres of influence
“We equally reject the Russians attempts to undermine the fundamental principles of European security,” said Borrell. “To try to redefine the security arrangement and to restore old fashioned and outdated spheres of influence.”
Joly said: “We firmly oppose Russian aggression, and military action against Ukraine. We reject Russia’s false narrative that Ukraine, or NATO, are threats. The EU and Canada are both important partners in this process alongside many others. The recently launched diplomatic process offers Russia two options. They can choose meaningful dialogue, or severe consequences. We of course, appreciate the EU’s collaboration and on many deterrence measures, including the economic ones. Canada will be ready to take additional measures particularly with respect to the financial sector.”
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