Want The War To End Quickly, EU Officials Also Want Ukraine To Continue To Be Armed

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The European Union wants the war in Ukraine to end as soon as possible, but how it happens is also important, its chief diplomat said on Wednesday, calling for the bloc to send more weapons to Kyiv.

"We want this to end as soon as possible, but not by any means", EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told the European Parliament.

"Because if we want a devastated country that has been territorially dismembered and neutralized, with millions of people in exile, and millions of people dead, then no, we don't want this war to end like this", he said.

"That's why we must continue to arm Ukraine. More weapons, that's what Ukraine expects from us."

Borrell further noted that the EU's continued purchases of Russian oil and gas gave Russia more money than the financial aid the bloc provided Ukraine.

"We have given Ukraine 1 billion euros. However, one billion euros is what we pay (Russian President Vladimir) Putin every day for the energy he gives us", Borrell said.

Separately, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told parliament the European Union would impose more sanctions on Russia, possibly including action on oil imports.

For information, Russia calls the conflict in Ukraine a special military operation, launched to demilitarize a country that President Putin considers an illegitimate state.