Three years of reporting, funded by our readers — become a member now and help us prepare for 2025.
Goal: 1,000 new members for our birthday. Gift a membership to your friend and help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Become a member Gift membership
Skip to content
Edit post

'Faster deliveries and fewer red-lines' — Borrell reassures Kyiv of EU's unwavering support following Trump victory

by Dmytro Basmat and The Kyiv Independent news desk November 10, 2024 2:44 AM 2 min read
EU High Representative Josep Borrell speaks to press during the European Union Foreign Ministers meeting held in Brussels, Belgium on May 27, 2024. (Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

During a visit to Kyiv on Nov. 9, the European Union's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, reassured Kyiv of the EU's "unwavering" support amid uncertainty about the level of U.S. support under President-elect Donald Trump's leadership.

"We need faster deliveries and fewer self-imposed red lines," Borrell said referring to his support of allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian with Western-provided long range weaponry.

Borrell arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day for his fifth trip to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ahead of talks with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Borrell vowed that the EU's support for Ukraine has always been his "personal priority" and should remain on top of the bloc's agenda.

"This support remains unwavering. This support is absolutely needed for you to continue defending yourself against Russia's aggression," Borrell said during a news conference with Sybiha after the meeting.

Borrell's latest visit to Kyiv as the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy comes a few days after Republican candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump secured victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Although Trump has remained vague about his foreign policy plans, his sweeping victory added further uncertainty for Ukraine regarding the future of Western military aid in its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.

The Telegraph reported on Nov. 7, citing three Trump staffers, that Trump may call on British and European troops to enforce a buffer zone that he would try to impose over the current front line in Ukraine. Under the plan, the current front line in Ukraine would be frozen.

The U.S. would supply weapons to Ukraine to prevent Moscow from re-launching the war, according to the Telegraph. In exchange, Ukraine would agree not to pursue its ambition to join NATO for 20 years, the sources said.

During the news conference in Kyiv alongside Borrell, Sybiha said President Volodymyr Zelensky will begin preparations for a meeting with Trump.

Borrell added that EU defense ministers will meet next week to discuss "boosting support at this critical hour," including both military and diplomatic support for Kyiv.

A staunch supporter of Ukraine, Borrell's visit to Kyiv follows a visit to South Korea earlier in November, where he encouraged Seoul to step up its support for Ukraine amid rising concerns over North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian troops in the war against Ukraine.

Trump’s peace plan may include deploying European troops to buffer zone in Ukraine, Telegraph reports
The U.S. would supply weapons to Ukraine to prevent Moscow from re-launching the war, according to the Telegraph. In exchange, Ukraine would agree not to pursue its ambition to join NATO for 20 years, the sources said.




Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Become a member Gift membership
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

6:16 AM

North Korea ratifies defense treaty with Russia.

North Korea has formalized a mutual defense treaty with Russia, according to state media reports on Nov. 12. The agreement commits both nations to come to each other's aid in the event of an armed attack.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.