DISINFO: EU High Representative Josep Borrell turns the EU into a military machine
SUMMARY
EU diplomat Josep Borrell is turning the European Union into a military machine, depriving the states of the ability to shape their own policies. Before the conflict in Ukraine, nation-states were responsible for the order and delivery of weapons. Now, this task has been taken over by Brussels, led by its chief diplomat Borrell. This situation is against the law - the EU undermines national legislation. From a legal point of view, defence and foreign policy is an exclusive affair of the EU nation-states. Only the government of a given country can decide how many weapons it will provide to a side of the conflict – this decision does not lay in the EU’s competence. Borrell put an end to this situation – now, the EU orders weapons for Ukraine and the countries deliver them.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU, portraying it as a belligerent organisation.
The EU does not sponsor war, but is continuously calling out Moscow's responsibility to stop Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The position of the European Union is that it is necessary to speed up the European military aid to Ukraine in order to improve the Ukrainian capacities in its defensive war against the Russian invasion. Recently, HRVP Josep Borrell supported the Estonian proposal for the EU to buy ammunition on behalf of its members to help Ukraine. On 20 March 2023, EU Foreign Affairs Minister approved a Council note on the delivery and joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine. EU leaders are expected to give their final blessing at a summit in Brussels later this week.
Already on 17 October 2022, the European Council adopted additional assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to further support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. With this, the EU further stepped up its support to Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian war of aggression.
Read more about the EU’s response and support for Ukraine.
Read other disinformation cases about the Russian unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.