Russia-Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine not a hoax: European Union
Josep Borrell told the BBC's Lise Doucet that the conflict had arrived at a 'perilous second'.
His assertion comes when Russia has started to prepare and is moving towards the extension of four locales of Ukraine somewhat.
President Putin has endured mishaps on the combat zone, with his powers being moved back by Ukraine's.
He said that this is definitely a dangerous moment because the Russian army has been pushed into a corner, and Putin's reaction. The threat of using nuclear weapons. This is very bad.
Seven months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, analysts agree that President Putin's forces are on the back foot but say a "diplomatic" solution must be reached, one that "guarantees Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
"Otherwise, we can end the war, but we will not have peace and we will have another war," he said. In a rare address to the nation earlier this week,
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country had "various weapons of mass destruction" and "we will use all available means". He added that 'I am not flaming.'
"When people say it's not an empty threat, you have to take them seriously," said Josep Borrell. In the same speech, President Putin announced the call-up of 300,000 additional Russian troops.
Protests erupted across the country following the announcement, and thousands of Russian citizens are reported to have fled the country for fear of being sent to the front lines.
This comes in response to claims by Ukraine that the Ukrainian government has retaken more than 8,000 square kilometers (3,088 sq mi) from Russian forces.
Self-imposed referendums on joining Russia are now being held in four occupied territories. Ukraine has dismissed these as annexation efforts and has reported that armed Russian soldiers are going door-to-door canvassing for votes.
Analysis by Liz DeWist..
The Ukraine war is dominating the UN General Assembly this year as the costly war continues without a clear direction. Europe's foreign policy chiefs looked surprisingly stiff and visibly distressed.
He described the desperate cries he heard from people wherever he went.
From meeting friends on vacation to world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly this week, everyone was asking him when the war would end. "Stop this war, I can't pay my electricity bill."
He expressed regret over this situation.
Josep Borrell was willing to say publicly what many have expressed in private, that Europe and its allies were struggling to control the narrative in the war as Russia made the point. European sanctions against Russia have exacerbated public concerns.
But new and worrisome threats from Moscow, including the use of nuclear weapons, warrant consideration. Most Western leaders, including Josep Borrell, among others, have been very clear about the war's far-reaching consequences for Ukraine.
Josep Borrell dismissed concerns that EU arms supplies were running low and said he should continue providing military aid to Ukraine, as well as economic sanctions and diplomatic activity against President Putin and his allies.
He admitted that the increase in energy prices due to this conflict is a concern.
"People in my country tell me the price of gas means we can't continue to work, we can't continue to run our business," he said.
He added that he had heard similar concerns from leaders in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
Josep Borrell called on President Putin to play his part in reaching a solution through dialogue, saying that the responsibility for resolving the conflict is mutual.
"All the people who went to the Kremlin to talk to President Putin came back with the same answer: 'I (Putin) have military objectives, and if I don't achieve these military objectives, I will continue to fight.' "It's certainly a worrying situation, but we have to continue to support Ukraine.
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