On 22 September 2022, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held on 19-23 September 2022, in New York, United States. On this occasion, he gave a press conference following the UN Security Council High-Level briefing, on the partial mobilisation in Russia, the ilegal "referenda" for annexing ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia, and the Russian threats to use weapons of mass destruction.

On the margins of the UNGA, Josep Borrell Fontelles also participated in an extraordinary meeting of the Informal Foreign Affairs Council, after Russia announced another major escalation in the war against Ukraine. The Informal Foreign Affairs Council has agreed on a declaration condemning the ilegal "referenda" with the annexation by Russia of Ukrainian territories. The EU reiterated the call to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and to reverse the ilegal plans. Finally, it was stated that new restrictive measures against Russia will be put forward as soon as possible and that the EU will keep supporting Ukrainian efforts with the provision of military equipment.

This video shows the press conference by Josep Borell Fontelles following the extraordinary meeting of the Informal Foreign Affairs Council.