Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that many member states present at an informal meeting of foreign ministers supported the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Source: Borrell at a press conference following the meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 29 August, European Pravda reports
Quote: “Ukraine has shown strategic audacity and has made Putin’s narrative about ‘special operation’ completely useless. [Special operation is the term used by Russian propaganda to replace the word war – ed.]”
Borrell also recalled the speech of Ukrainian Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who stressed that the offensive in Kursk Oblast had undermined the myth of Russia’s “invincibility”.
“In February, two and a half years ago, Putin launched the war, believing that it was going to last a couple of weeks. It has lasted for more than a couple of years. And he is not in Kyiv, and even the territory of Russia is being attacked,” he concluded.
Background:
- On 29 August, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast will change the course of the war and has been supported by Western countries.
- Also on 29 August, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said that according to the UN statutes, Ukraine’s self-defence encompasses Kyiv striking military targets in Russia, which is why the Ukrainian Kursk operation is part of Ukraine’s self-defence strategy.
- Earlier, the Washington Post reported that amid the operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Ukraine has renewed its request that the Biden administration authorise the use of ATACMS long-range missiles to target airfields in Russia.
