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Putin's 'might is right' approach an affront to global stability
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell spoke at length about the Ukraine conflict in an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, including the energy challenges for the bloc, EU expansion and its relations with China. Here are excerpts from that interview.
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Q: Are the sanctions on Russia proving effective in limiting its ability to prosecute the war?
A: Sanctions by themselves will not stop the war. But they are limiting the Kremlin's ability to continue to finance it. Sanctions are only one of the tools we are using. The economic pressure they create is combined with political and diplomatic pressure to isolate Russia and force it to change its behaviour of disregarding international law. The sanctions will take full effect in the mid-to long-term. But they are already hitting the Kremlin hard. It is obvious that the Russian economy is losing its ability to modernise. In addition to sanctions, more and more companies and partners are withdrawing from Russia or stopping their activities there. All this has a combined effect on the overall situation in the country and its economy.
