The head of diplomacy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell, reiterated from the Ukrainian port city of Odessa on Saturday that Europe will continue to support Ukraine in restoring its territorial integrity.
“Today is an anniversary. It is a time to commemorate that part of Ukrainian territory, the Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporijia and Kherson regions, was illegally annexed by Russia, just like Crimea before it. We will support Ukraine in its fight for recovery. its territorial integrity,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on the day Moscow celebrates the annexation of those four Ukrainian regions.
In a video message during his unannounced visit to Ukraine, Borrell stated that his presence in that country aims to demonstrate European support for Kiev, from a military, economic, political point of view and diplomatic activity to seek peace, but “a just peace that preserves the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.”
Odessa is a beautiful historic city. It should be in the headlines for its vibrant culture and spirit.
Instead, it marks the news as a frequent target of Putin’s war.
The EU supports the stabilization of sites affected by Russia’s barbaric destruction.
↓https://t.co/GSaSr71RSW– Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) September 30, 2023
Josep Borrell took the opportunity to pay tribute to all the men and women in Ukraine who are fighting for their country’s sovereignty.
Despite being “such a beautiful city,” Odessa is on the front pages of the newspapers not because of its “cultural activities” or “its beauty and history,” but rather because of Russia’s “barbaric attacks,” which destroyed infrastructure ports and their churches, he complained.
“I witnessed the consequences of this war and how Ukraine and Odessa pay a very high price. This is a good example of how Russia is destroying and trying to destroy Ukraine,” he added.
Ukraine’s civilian law enforcement agencies are directly involved in defense #Ukraine“territorial integrity and sovereignty. They play a key role in stabilization efforts, including in recently liberated areas.
The EU is helping to strengthen their capabilities. pic.twitter.com/mfPRZjk9nb
– Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) September 30, 2023
Moscow today celebrated the so-called “Reunification Day”, commemorating the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, which the country still does not control in its entirety and where Russian troops are trying to stem the advance of Kiev’s forces.
However, the fighting has not lost its intensity, especially in the Zaporijia and Donetsk regions, in the south and east of the country, where Ukrainian forces have been trying to carry out a counter-offensive since June, delayed by the density of Russian defensive forces. lines.
The Institute for the Study of War in the United States noted in its latest report that Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in the areas of Robotine, Verbove, Novoprokopivka, in Zaporijia and south of Bajmut, in the eastern part of Donetsk.
The Russian Defense Ministry today confirmed that Kiev’s forces carried out a total of seven attacks on the Donetsk front, but these were repulsed by Moscow’s forces, with artillery and air support.
Source: DN
