Borrell criticizes the "naivety" of Podemos in believing that stopping military aid to Ukraine will end the war

Defends that "it is not exclusive to arm" kyiv "with seeking peace"

MADRID, 22 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, criticized this Wednesday the "enormous naivety" of Podemos for believing that if they stop aiding Ukraine with weapons, the war they are waging against the Russian invasion will end, either through a ceasefire or through negotiations for a peace agreement.

"Negotiations are welcome, but if military aid to Ukraine is stopped, Russia will continue to attack and Ukraine will not be able to defend itself," warned the head of European diplomacy in statements to Onda Cero, collected by Europa Press.

Asked about Podemos reproaching European governments, including its coalition partner, the PSOE, for being submissive to the United States, Borrell pointed out that this speech is heard from many people and even from friends of his whom he respects. "intellectually". "And to other people whom I respect less", he has affirmed below.

"It is a speech outside the left of the social democracy. There are people who believe, and I think it is enormously naive, that if we stopped military aid to Ukraine that would trigger an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations. I do not believe it ", has held.

This is how Borrell responded when asked about the statements by the president of the United Podemos parliamentary group, Jaume Asens, who stated that they do not like the pact with Washington to increase the number of North American destroyers at the Rota base (Cádiz) from four to six. , claiming that it means "more military, more American destroyers and more dependence and submission to the United States."

The former Socialist Foreign Minister has claimed that what the Ukrainians really need are "weapons to defend themselves", and not so much applause, which "are not worth much". Thus, he has replied to Podemos that "arming Ukraine with seeking peace is not exclusive."

"Defense is based on military capabilities and the first of these is ammunition. It's not worth much if we send you cannons if you don't have ammunition," he lamented, stressing that "everyone" agrees to send "quickly " ammunition.

For Borrell, the ammunition has to be provided from "where it is", which is the arsenals of Europe, he has pointed out, since "it cannot wait" for the industry to manufacture projectiles. Having said this, he has communicated that a plan is being drawn up so that the European arms industry produces ammunition in all countries.

"You have to give priority to ammunition where it is going to be used effectively and immediately", assured the representative, who specified that he would like to see investments in other things, but that the current situation forces us to respond "faster". to the demands of a war that consumes "a lot of military material".

Regarding the aid provided so far by Spain, Borrell has indicated that it is giving "its part" and has confirmed that it will provide 'Leopard' tanks to Kiev when they are brought "up to date".

And as for Russia suspending its participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the head of European diplomacy has branded the Russian decision "irresponsible" and wanted to recall that the United States, during the presidency of Donald Trump also decided to abandon agreements of this type.

"It is yet another step in the dismantling of the security system built after the Cold War and based on reciprocal arms controls, limitations and shared surveillance, in an attempt to ensure that there was no uncontrolled arms race and everyone knew what was going on. doing the other", expressed Borrell.