Borrell says EU's attention to conflicts in Middle East will not hinder assistance to Ukraine

He said this before the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.

According to Borrell, Ukraine is a top priority for Europe. "The fact that we are currently engaged in finding solutions in the Middle East does not mean that we are not continuing to support Ukraine. The first meeting will be with the virtual participation of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister... The next Gymnich-format meeting with the participation of defense ministers from EU countries will be dedicated to discussing how to strengthen our support. So, don't worry. Ukraine does not have to worry. European assistance will continue; it will be strong, as always," noted the EU High Representative.

He also emphasized that ministers will meet with representatives of Israel and Arab countries to discuss the resolution of the conflict in the Middle East based on the "two-state" principle.

"If the Israeli government disagrees with this solution, we need to discuss what other solutions they are considering. Will they allow other Palestinians to live? Kill them? The way they are trying to eliminate Hamas is not appropriate. They are engraving hatred for generations. We remember what Hamas is and what it has done. Certainly, we deny and condemn that. But peace and stability cannot be achieved solely by military means, especially not by the means being used now," stated Borrell.

He noted that the Council of EU Ministers will have many important guests today, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, representatives of the diplomatic initiative of Islamic and Arab countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

Following this, during a separate session, European ministers will have a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine. Therefore, according to Borrell, representatives of all sides and countries directly affected by the conflict in Gaza will meet in Brussels today.

• Earlier, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, said that the weapons that were supposed to be provided to Ukraine were sent to help Israel, as the war in the Middle East affects the situation in Ukraine.