Luxembourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that it underscores the necessity of backing Ukraine “to exert maximum pressure on Russia” as Vladimir Putin persists in his refusal of the ceasefire proposal.
EU foreign ministers are convening in Luxembourg to address significant foreign affairs challenges, with Ukraine at the forefront. In the aftermath of Russia’s Palm Sunday assault on Sumy, resulting in at least 34 deaths and over 100 injuries, the leaders will explore additional measures to assist Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stressed,
“Right now, I think, we have to put the maximum pressure on Russia to really end this war. Because it takes two to want peace, and it only takes one to want war. And we see that Russia really wants war. And all those who want the killing to stop should put the maximum pressure on Russia.”
EU member states have pledged to supply Ukraine with two-thirds of the 2 million artillery shells valued at €5 billion, as part of Kaja Kallas’s effort to boost military assistance for Ukraine.
Is Putin mocking Trump’s peace overtures?
Moreover, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration would recognise that Vladimir Putin was “mocking their goodwill” following Moscow’s deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.
“Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia’s mocking answer,”
Sikorski stated upon arriving at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
“I hope that President Trump and the U.S. administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.”
What is the Kallas Initiative for Ukraine aid?
Furthermore, High Representative Kaja Kallas has proposed an ambitious initiative to generate up to €40 billion in new military aid for Ukraine. If successful, this would double the defense support the European Union offered last year.
The initiative, informally called “the Kallas initiative” in Brussels, aims to address Ukraine’s urgent requirements in combating Russia’s aggressive actions, focusing particularly on artillery ammunition, air defense systems, missiles, drones, and fighter jets.
