The European Union has pledged its “unwavering” support for the Ukrainian government, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed great concern over the movements of Russian troops.
“Following with great concern the Russian military activity surrounding Ukraine,” Borrell wrote online after a phone call with Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.
“Unwavering EU support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Borrell said he would hold further talks on the issue with Kiev’s top diplomat and the foreign ministers of the 27 EU nations at a meeting later this month.
This week Ukraine accused Russia of gathering thousands of troops on its northern and eastern borders, as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
The Kremlin did not deny recent troop movements, but insisted Moscow “did not threaten anyone.”
Reports of a build-up have swirled amid escalating armed clashes along the front line between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists.
According to the UN, the long slow fire conflict has caused more than 13,000 lives since 2014.
Western leaders, including Joe Biden, have said they are on the side of Ukraine.
With Agence France-Presse