Without Western aid, Ukraine war could end in only two weeks: Borrell
3 Min Read
EU countries were not united in their policy towards Russia, noting that some still consider it an ally, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
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Screengrab of the livestream in which EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell was filmed while delivering a lecture at Oxford.
At a lecture at the University of Oxford on Friday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the conflict in Ukraine could as quickly as "a couple of weeks" without Western military aid to Kiev.
"The Ukrainian existence depends on us, I know how to finish the war in Ukraine. I can finish the war in Ukraine in a couple of weeks just by cutting the supply. If I cut the supply of arms to Ukraine, Ukraine cannot resist they will have to surrender and the war will finish," Borrell said.
The top diplomat also mentioned that EU countries were not united in their policy towards Russia, noting that some still consider it an ally.
Borrell also mentioned that delayed US aid to Kiev could make the entire difference "between victory and defeat".
Read more: Arms delivery failures, delays 'dented' Ukraine's trust in NATO: Chief
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron told The Economist that he does not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine if Kiev were to request it.
He further said that many European nations have grasped and endorsed France's stance on potential troop deployment to Ukraine.
In reaction to these statements, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday labelled the suggestion as "dangerous".
He further pointed out to the fact that this is not the first time France has made such a proposal.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron echoed similar concerns, rejecting the idea of NATO soldiers entering Ukraine.
"I wouldn't have NATO soldiers in the country [Ukraine], because I think that could be a dangerous escalation," Cameron told Sky News, adding that he does not believe it appropriate to have "NATO soldiers killing Russian soldiers"
Read more: Suspected mastermind of Crimean bridge bombing revealed: Reports
In February, Macron proposed a similar plan but clarified that the suggestion was being made amid a decline in US support for Ukraine.
"Should we entrust our future to the American electorate? My answer is no. Let's not wait for the outcome," he said in February.
The US recently approved an aid package for Kiev estimated to amount $61 billion. But many suspect it to be the last, including Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who said in late April, "We have to start thinking about what should happen if this is the last aid package."
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