The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for increased pressure on Russia after meeting with her EU and Ukrainian counterparts.
“To ensure the best outcome for Ukraine and Europe, we need to stay the course but pick up the pace,” Kallas said.
“This means imposing more sanctions to deprive Russia of the means to fight, and more military and financial aid to Ukraine,” he said.
Callas expressed doubt about Russia’s preparedness for a ceasefire, but said the pressure was taking Moscow closer to the point where it would have to negotiate.
“Russia’s summer offensive failed. US and EU sanctions are having a huge impact on the Russian economy,” he said.
“Russia is losing cash and troops,” Callas said. “If Russia could have conquered Ukraine militarily, it would have done so by now.”
In an apparent reference to the original Trump peace plan, which called for Ukraine to cede ground to Russia, Kallas said: “The focus should be on what the aggressor Russia should do, not what the victimized Ukraine should sacrifice.”
He also called for using Russian assets frozen in Europe to meet Ukraine’s financial needs in 2026 and 2027.
“This will send the strongest message to Moscow that it cannot wait for us and that we need to take this decision quickly.”
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