High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, strongly condemned the recent wave of Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, which claimed the lives of more than ten people, including children.
“These attacks show that Putin is mocking every effort being made for peace,” Kallas stated ahead of the start of a two-day meeting of EU defense and foreign ministers in Copenhagen.
She emphasized the need for stronger actions against the Kremlin. “What we need to do is increase pressure on Russia,” Kallas said, mentioning new sanctions in the energy and financial sectors, which she argued “would hurt them even more.”
In addition to economic pressure, the senior EU diplomat called on member states to increase military support for Ukraine: “Ukraine needs all the military support it can get right now.”
The ministers in Copenhagen will also discuss security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of hostilities. According to Kallas, the EU can continue to support Kyiv through training of Ukrainian forces and strengthening the domestic defense industry.
“The war will not end if you look at what Putin is doing,” Kallas warned.
