Kallas: Tough summer for Putin, EU to further increase support for Ukraine
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said Russia had suffered significant economic and personnel losses over the summer, while EU member states were preparing tougher sanctions against Moscow and planned to further increase support for Ukraine.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has warned that Russia has faced significant economic and personnel losses during the summer, while EU member states are preparing more stringent sanctions against Moscow and intending to bolster support for Ukraine. Speaking in Wicklow, Ireland, following a gathering of EU defense ministers, Kallas emphasized that the most effective approach to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions was to augment assistance for Ukraine while simultaneously investing in Europe's defense capabilities.
Kallas also detailed Ukraine's growing military pressure on Russia, citing examples such as Ukrainian drones disrupting Russian logistics and striking oil refineries within Russia, which have contributed to what she termed as Russia's worst fuel crisis in a decade. Moreover, she asserted that Russia was losing over 30,000 troops per month, concluding that the summer had been particularly challenging for Putin.
The Ukrainian Defense Minister, Yevhen Khmara, had highlighted during the meeting that air defense remained Ukraine's top priority. However, Kallas noted that the shortage of interceptor missiles across Europe was a concern. She urged EU member states to review their stockpiles and suggested transferring or selling Patriot missiles nearing the end of their service life to Ukraine.
Kallas stressed that every interceptor provided to Ukraine would reduce the risk of a Russian missile hitting a Ukrainian school, home, or hospital, while every form of support to Ukraine would strengthen European security as well.
Regarding financial support, Kallas stressed the importance of continued bilateral assistance to Ukraine, mentioning the need for modernized training facilities, in addition to equipment. She recalled proposing funding for the modernization of training grounds in Ukraine earlier in the year and thanked member states, including Ireland, for providing additional funding for this purpose.
Kallas also mentioned that ministers had discussed the future of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM), considering the establishment of a coordination group in Kyiv to better integrate battlefield experience and enhance military education.
Furthermore, Kallas pointed out that cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the defense industry was expanding, with over 120 industrial partnerships between Ukrainian and European companies. She described Ukraine as a global leader in battlefield innovation and stated that deeper integration between Ukrainian and European defense companies was in the mutual interest of both parties.
Written by urgent.news from Interfax-Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
