Europe: Any security guarantees for Russia will be "discussed later"

The European Union's foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, stressed on Monday that resolving the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian territories inevitably requires the provision of "security guarantees to Ukraine." As for similar guarantees to Russia, the issue is "discussed later."

Borrell's position comes after statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he spoke of his willingness to provide security guarantees to Moscow.

Borrell said during a symposium organized by the European Jacques Delors Institute that "exiting the war must be respectful of international legitimacy," explaining that this matter requires Moscow to pay financial compensation, judicially adjudicate war crimes, withdraw Russian forces and provide "security guarantees to Ukraine."

"As for Russia, we will discuss it later," the EU foreign policy chief added, in an implicit reference to the recent statement made by the French president.

On Saturday, Macron made it clear that he had discussed for several hours with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, a “security structure” for the future, pointing to the need to provide “security guarantees for Russia when it returns to the negotiating table.”

Macron's statements sparked criticism from Ukraine and countries in eastern Europe, calling for a more stringent approach towards Russia, and often accusing the French president of being very tolerant of Moscow and very open towards it, which Paris denies, which confirms its support for Kiev along with the rest of European countries.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news