Borrell claims “a spark” could set off a confrontation in Ukraine

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Josep Borrell spoke on April 19 regarding the situation with Russia.
Apnews.com reports that Borrell stated that the buildup of Russian troops on
the Ukrainian border was a larger problem than the diplomatic war which opened up
last week and led to dozens of diplomats being ordered to leave their posts.
Borrell also stated that there were over 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s
border, though the figure was corrected in the transcript of the meeting down
to 100,000 troops.

Borrell also claimed that it’s a matter of concern,
and that “Well, a spark can jump here or there,” and that “the risk of further
escalation – it’s evident.”

Borrell’s words come as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
warned airlines to use “extreme caution” along the Ukrainian – Russian border,
and required airlines to give 72 hours notice before flying there.

James Hydzik: Borrell’s
pronouncements sound alarmist even in this situation, and overestimating the
troop numbers by 50% does not help. While the FAA warning, called a NOTAM, is
more considered, there are few American flights along the border. Ukrainian
airspace there is practically empty and most of the flights on the Russian side
are from Russian carriers. This makes the NOTAM look like it was issued out of
an abundance of caution and not due to an imminent threat.