EU Commission Chief Insists Russian Aggression Threatens European Security

Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is a direct threat to Europe’s security, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to India on Monday, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Photo Insert: "Dear Volodymyr, my message today is clear: Ukraine belongs in the European family. We have heard your request, loud and clear. And today, we are here to give you a first, positive answer. In this envelope, dear Volodymyr, there is an important step towards EU membership. This questionnaire is the basis for our discussion in the coming months. This is where your path towards the European Union begins. We will be at your disposal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to work on this common basis," wrote EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“Targeting and killing innocent civilians. Redrawing borders by force. Subjugating the will of a free people. This goes against core principles enshrined in the UN Charter. In Europe, we see Russia’s aggression as a direct threat to our security,” von der Leyen said in a speech to the Raisina Dialogue, a geopolitics conference in New Delhi.

She said Moscow’s “unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine” was bound to be a “strategic failure” and the European Union was “doing all we can to help Ukraine fight for its freedom. This is why we needed to impose massive, sharp and effective sanctions.”

She said that sanctions, however, were not “standalone solutions” but part of a broader strategy that gives the European Union leverage to “achieve a diplomatic solution that will bring lasting peace.”

Von der Leyen arrived in India on Monday for a two-day visit. She met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed trade, climate and digital technology, foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Her visit to India is seen as part of Western efforts to encourage New Delhi to reduce ties with Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Modi has called the situation in Ukraine “very worrying” and has appealed to both sides for peace.

But India has so far refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion. It also abstained when the UN General Assembly voted this month to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council.

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