The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, strongly condemned today the series of Russian air strikes on Kiev, which resulted in numerous casualties, including children, and called for the imposition of stricter sanctions against Moscow, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"These attacks show that Putin simply mocks any peace efforts," said Kallas upon arrival for the two-day meeting of EU defense and foreign ministers in Copenhagen. "What we need to do is increase the pressure on Russia," she urged, adding that new sanctions on Russian energy exports and financial services "will hurt them the most." In addition to punitive measures against Russia, Kallas called on EU countries to continue providing weapons to Kiev. "Ukraine needs all possible military support right now," Kallas stressed. Ministers meeting in the Danish capital will also discuss guarantees for Ukraine's security after the end of hostilities. The EU can support Kiev by continuing to train the Ukrainian military and boost the country's defense industry, in addition to the commitments of individual member states, Kallas said. But she predicted that the end of the war "is not near, if we look at what Putin is doing."