EU’s Borrell visits Kyiv to reassure Ukraine after Trump’s election win

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid uncertainty following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. Borrell’s visit marks the first by a senior EU official since Trump’s win.

Borrell, who is set to step down next month, emphasised that Europe will continue to support Ukraine as it resists Russia’s invasion. “We have been supporting Ukraine since the beginning, and on my last visit here I reiterate that message", he said. “We will back Ukraine as much as we can.”

“We will back Ukraine as much as we can.”

Borrell’s visit comes as Trump's reelection is raising concerns in Ukraine and across Europe about potential changes to US policy. During his campaign, the president-elect questioned the continuation of US military and financial aid to Ukraine and even suggested that he could negotiate a rapid end to the conflict. 

Borrell acknowledged that Trump’s stance has raised uncertainties, but he also pointed out that current president Joe Biden still has two months in office, during which further support decisions could be made. “Nobody knows exactly what the new administration will do,” Borrell said, “but we, as Europeans, must use this moment to build a stronger, more united Europe. Supporting Ukraine is one way we demonstrate our unity and strength.”

The EU has collectively contributed around $125 billion to Ukraine’s defence and humanitarian needs since Russia’s invasion in 2022, while the United States has provided over $90 billion, according to data from the Kiel Institute. 

^{EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}