Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, arrived in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian officials on Europe’s financial and military backing for the war-torn country.
Kallas mentioned that the discussions will include Ukraine’s energy sector and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes. Kallas is also set to chair a meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels on Oct. 15, during which European officials will exchange views on defence readiness.
What is the purpose of Kaja Kallas’s visit to Kyiv?
The visit occurs amid Russia increasing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches. On October 10, a combined missile and drone strike led to widespread power outages in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. As Russia intensifies its strikes, Kyiv has urged its Western allies to bolster Ukrainian air defences and deploy immobilised assets to support Ukraine.
European leaders are debating utilising frozen Russian central bank assets to finance a reparations loan, potentially offering Kyiv at least 140 billion euros. This amount would be repaid only if Moscow agrees to compensate for the war reparations.
Recent months have also seen increasing tensions between Moscow and Europe, as Russian drones and aircraft have frequently violated NATO airspace. Additionally, numerous suspicious drone sightings led to airport disruptions in Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
When did Kallas make her first visit to Ukraine?
On December 1, 2024, Kaja Kallas made her first trip to Ukraine in her capacity as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Notably, it was also Kallas’s first day in office, along with other EU officials. During her visit, Kallas met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where she reaffirmed the EU’s firm commitment to and support for Ukraine’s victory in the war with Russia.
Kallas and the EU are committed to continuing to scale up the financial, military, and humanitarian assistance, while also emphasising that Ukraine can rely on EU support in the future.
