EU pledges ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine amid Russian troop buildup

The European Union has pledged to show support for the Ukrainian government as tensions with Russia continue to build up.

Ukraine accused Russia of deploying thousands of military personnel to its northern and eastern borders and on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. 

According to the Guardian, EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borell had a phone call with Ukraine’s first minister Dmytro Kubela and shortly after issued a statement on the situation. 

Borell pledged “unwavering EU support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and said he was “following with severe concern the Russian military activity surrounding Ukraine.”

Since the beginning of 2021, 20 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in skirmishes with the Russian military.

Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday that Russia was doing “what it considers necessary” and would “ignore signals” of concern from the United States and other Western countries. 

Ukraine has been fighting Russian-backed separatists since 2014, and a reported 14,000 people have been killed during the conflict.

Russia’s government has denied planning a military attack but hasn’t denied any military movement in the region.

President Biden and other Western leaders have expressed support for Ukraine throughout the conflict.