Maintaining ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin is incompatible with the common European future, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell said today at a press conference after a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg. He made this remark after a general meeting with representatives of the countries of the Western Balkans, which expect to join the European Union, reports BTA.
Borrell added that the EU is ready to expand its support to the region and expects these countries to follow European decisions in the field of defense and foreign policy, regarding Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. In response to a question, he noted that Serbia does not yet meet the pre-accession condition of implementing European foreign policy decisions.
Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova begin tomorrow, the High Representative noted. He noted that today the ministers did not reach the necessary unanimity to secure funds for Kyiv from the target defense budget. Borel confirmed that the Ukrainian authorities will nevertheless receive funds, but from the proceeds of the seized Russian property in the EU. He specified that in a month Kiev will have 1.5 billion euros, and by the end of the year - with another billion euros.
Borrell issued a stark warning to Georgia that the country is deviating from the EU path with the introduction of new legislation on foreign agents and other changes for which there is no European support. According to him, it is possible that EU countries decide to lower the level of their diplomatic representation in Georgia. He explained that with the votes of 2/3 of the EU countries, a decision can be made to limit the European funds paid to Georgia.