Brussels. January 15th. INTERFAX - One of the topics of the recent consultations between the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrel and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was the "preparation of deterrence measures" for Russia in connection with the "build-up of Russian military power around Ukraine."
"High Representative Borrel and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and stressed the need for de-escalation and full implementation by Russia of the Minsk Agreements. They reviewed the current preparation of deterrence measures and an active international reaction with grave consequences for Russia in the event of further aggression against Ukraine," the European Foreign Service (EMU) communique says.
A document circulated in Brussels on Saturday evening reports that after an informal meeting on the eve of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brest, France, Borrel and Blinken discussed "the buildup of Russian military power around Ukraine and informed each other about the latest diplomatic negotiations related to Russia's attempts to redefine security mechanisms in Europe."
The EMU said in a statement that the parties "rejected the Russian initiative to restore spheres of influence in Europe and stressed their determination to continue intensive consultations on this and other issues between the US and the EU, presenting a strong, clear and unified transatlantic front."
At the same time, they stated that the EU and the US "remain open to dialogue with Russia, but never to the detriment of freedom, sovereignty, independence of members of the transatlantic community and their partners or to the detriment of respect for fundamental values and relevant international obligations."
