Johnson urges EU to choose between Russia and Ukraine

British PM Boris Johnson told diplomats and
journalists on Nov. 15 that, “We hope that our friends may recognize that a
choice is shortly coming — between mainlining ever more Russian hydrocarbons
in giant new pipelines, and sticking up for Ukraine and championing the cause
of peace and stability.” Johnson did not mention Nord Stream II directly in his
speech, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 15.

The statement comes as the EU begins deliberations on
the certification of the Nord Stream II pipeline. The build-up of the Russian
military in the south-west of Ukraine, currently estimated at 90,000 troops,
prompted France to issue a warning to Russia on Nov. 12 regarding the
consequences of any “further damage to the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

James Hydzik: Johnson may be echoing what observers in central and eastern Europe
have been saying for some time, but it is not likely to sway anyone on the
continent. The EU bringing Ukraine into the Nord Stream II certification
process, even though it is in a non-voting role, is more substantial, and will
provide the Ukrainian side with the details needed to better present its own
case. Still, his message does help in continuing to hammer home to domestic
audiences why the government is focused on Ukraine.