By Marcel Gascón
Kiev, Nov 11 (EFE).- The European Union’s foreign affairs and security policy chief warned Monday that the bloc must be prepared to get less protection from the United States.
Josep Borrell’s remarks in an interview with EFE in Kyiv come in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory last week.
During his first stint in the White House between 2017 and 2021, Trump frequently accused the US’ European allies of underspending on defense and of overly relying on Washington’s military power.
“We cannot think that the protective umbrella of the US is always going to be open and that it will guarantee us security which, first and foremost, we must guarantee ourselves,” Borrell said, hours before wrapping up his last visit to Ukraine before he leaves office after five years as the EU’s chief diplomat.
During his visit to the Ukrainian capital, which began Saturday, Borrell has repeatedly reaffirmed Europe’s continued for Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion.
“I did not need Trump to come to the US presidency to say from the beginning that Europe has to ensure more autonomously its security and defense,” said Borrell.
He pointed out that the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, which began shortly before the midway point of his term, has forced the EU to move faster towards this goal.
The Spanish politician recalled that the EU has taken unprecedented decisions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, such as financing the purchase of military equipment for a country at war.
The EU and its member states have contributed a “not inconsiderable” sum of about 44 billion euros, Borrell added.
He also highlighted the steps taken towards achieving European strategic autonomy, including certain countries, such as , increasing their defense spending in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
At the same time, Borrell warned that those steps are insufficient, given how the situation on the continent and the Middle East has evolved in the last five years.
“The world today is much more dangerous; we have a war that is very close to our borders involving a country that we have declared a candidate and therefore a preferred partner,” said Borrell, who said the EU has an obligation to continue helping Ukraine.
“We have committed ourselves to help this country and I believe that commitments must be fulfilled,” he said. EFE
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