Kaja Kallas: EU prepares a new sanctions package against Russia for attacks on Kyiv.

According to FREEДOM:

EU position on Russia

On August 29 in Copenhagen, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, stated the need to increase pressure on Russia as Vladimir Putin ignores peace initiatives. This topic will be the main focus during the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers and defense ministers taking place on August 29-30 in the Danish capital.

Kallas' comments

'Today, the defense ministers will meet, and tomorrow — the foreign ministers. Of course, the main topic for us is Russia's war against Ukraine. Yesterday we saw large-scale attacks on Kyiv. The European delegation (the mission building) was also affected. Fortunately, no one was physically harmed. But still, these attacks demonstrate that Putin is simply mocking any peace efforts. Therefore, we need to increase pressure on Russia,' Kaja Kallas noted.

She also emphasized the EU's readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. According to her, this includes training and military missions, as well as support for Ukraine's defense industry. Discussions are currently underway regarding changes to mission mandates to adapt them to possible peace agreements.

'Speaking of the European Union, our contribution to security guarantees is a training mission, a military mission, as well as support for Ukraine's defense industry. Thus, all three of these elements can involve neutral countries... Each member state decides what it does and how it contributes to security guarantees,' Kallas explained.

National decisions and new sanctions

Kallas also reported that the decision to send troops to Ukraine would be made at the national level. Some countries have already expressed their intention to send their military, while others are not yet ready for this.

'This is a decision for each member state. We have already heard that some member states are declaring their intention to send troops. Some are not yet ready. But these discussions are still ongoing,' Kallas believes.

Furthermore, she announced the preparation of a new 19th package of sanctions against Russia, stating that actions related to energy and financial services could cause serious harm.

'We are working on the next package of measures, and several options are on the agenda. Of course, the most they will be harmed by are any sanctions related to energy, and all those secondary sanctions that the Americans have imposed. But also regarding financial services, which really hinder their access to the capital they so desperately need,' Kallas noted.

In conclusion, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov shared information about strengthening military cooperation with Sweden, Latvia, and Denmark.

These statements from Kallas indicate that the European Union continues to actively respond to threats from Russia and seeks to enhance its support for Ukraine. The decision on new sanctions and military aid underscores the EU's desire to strengthen stability in the region. Concrete steps by national governments can also significantly affect the situation in Ukraine in the near future.