According to European officials, the EU does not consider trading ties as a pillar in relations with Russia. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced the new policy at the informal video conference of the EU Defense Ministers. “We have no other choice than standing together, as the European Union, in support of Ukraine. Keeping in mind that it is not just supporting Ukraine, it is also supporting our security and the stability of the world. This is going to come at a price. This is not a free lunch. Sanctions will backlash, sanctions have a cost. And it is better to explain to our public opinion that this is the truth, but we have to be ready to pay this price now, because, if not, we will have to pay a much bigger price in the future,” Josep Borrell said at the press conference. After several decades of the Cold War, Europe aimed to establish ties by developing trade with Russia through mutually beneficial relations, but it was all in vain. Imposing sanctions, the EU is ready to face all the consequences of its actions, should it prevent a developing conflict. At the same time, the West promises to limit the damaging effect of sanctions on the Russian people. All restrictions are aimed exclusively at officials and large government-owned companies. “We are turning a page on the history of European integration and also on the history of Europe in the post-World War and the post-Cold War. The relations with Russia will no longer be determined by trade, believing that trade will make a political transformation of the regime. We want to support the Russian people,” Borrell added.
