The EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Joseph Borrell, said this Friday that Russia represents an “existential threat” to Europe because, if he wins, the Russian president will not stop in Ukraine.
Borrell spoke this Friday at St. Anthony's College, University of Oxford, England, about the global geopolitical situation and, in particular, the two armed conflicts the world is witnessing: in Ukraine and in the Middle East.
In his speech entitled “Europe faces two wars”, the EU diplomatic chief emphasized the Russian president's threat and highlighted that there are more and more voices warning about the global consequences of a Russian victory.
The Russian president sees the entire West as his enemy and repeats this on Russian state television, said Borel, who believes Europeans are unprepared for the harshness of the world they are finally waking up to.
Borel quoted Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev as saying, “It's one thing to wake up, it's another thing to find the strength to get out of bed.”
“In some cases, we are still in bed,” he said, referring to the war in Ukraine, underlining “the gravity of the present moment.”
“Then came another war,” with an attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on Israeli territory on Oct. 7 and Israel's disproportionate response, he said.
The EU diplomatic chief said land “must be shared” for Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side, which is why it is important to find a solution to the Middle East, he said, stressing that Europeans are strong. Responsible for this quest.
Although the peace process in Northern Ireland seemed intractable, years of patient negotiations led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998), which ended the sectarian conflict between pro-British Protestants and pro-Irish Catholics. .
However, Borrell warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want a two-state solution and that Europe will continue to ask him for an answer that would avoid another human tragedy.
In his intervention, the High Representative argued that in order to face the current geopolitical situation, it is necessary to diversify business relations and deepen cooperation with those who share European values and interests, citing the United Kingdom, despite its exit from the European Union. .
He also highlighted that in today's world, where there is more conflict and less cooperation, America is losing its hegemony, while China is growing and becoming its competition.
At the same time, middle powers like India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey are emerging as major players on the world stage, he added.
Among other aspects, climate change is not a future concern because it already exists, while technological changes and rapid population evolution are taking place, especially in Africa, where 25% of the world's population will live in 2050. .