Ukraine war: Putin 'waiting for General Winter' to support Russian army, says Borrell
Vladimir Putin is waiting for "General Winter" to come and support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, claims the EU's foreign affairs chief.
Josep Borrell was speaking as top diplomats from the G7 -- which brings together France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Canada, the US, Japan and the EU -- met in Germany to pledge support to help Kyiv during the forthcoming colder months.
"[Russia] is destroying the country systematically," said Borrell. "Millions of Ukrainians have no longer access to electricity. And what Putin is willing to do is to put the country into darkness in the wintertime, which is a war crime."
Putin, added Borrell, was "waiting for General Winter to arrive to support the Russian army".
Foreign ministers from the G7 expressed concern over food shortages and the energy crisis as Russia continues its attacks on civilian infrastructure.
"We will not allow the brutality of this war to lead to the mass death of elderly people and children, young people or families in the coming winter months," said Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock.
Despite the advances of Ukrainian troops on the northeastern and southeastern fronts, a harsh winter is still expected for soldiers and civilians.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 4.5 million people have temporarily lost access to electricity.
The allies pledged to provide generators, heaters, container housing, tents, beds and blankets, among items that will be part of a winter aid package.
But morale in the Ukrainian army is high as Kyiv's forces are preparing for a fierce battle to retake Kherson after the Russian puppet authorities of the city have renewed calls for the evacuation of civilians.
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