This was stated by the EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas at the press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July. 

«So first on Ukraine. Russia's bombing campaign has reached record levels, and we see an increasing use of banned chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine. All this shows that Russia does not want peace. In response, the EU is set to approve one of its toughest sanctions packages against Russia. 

I am really sad that we did not reach this agreement today. I must say that we were really close. To reassure Slovakia, the Commission has delivered what they asked for. Now the ball is in Slovakia's court, and we must get this deal done. It has been already two months. 

Sanctions are necessary to starve Russia of the means to wage this war, and the European Union will keep rising the cost. Stopping its aggression becomes the only path forward to Moscow. 

We welcome President Trump's announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine, although we would like to see the US share the burden. America and Europe are working together, and if we are working together, this can put the pressure on Putin to negotiate seriously. The only way to get Putin to end this war is to force his hand. 

Last week also brought some other important commitments. We had the Rome conference for Reconstruction, and this conference pledged €10 billion to help rebuild Ukraine. The Coalition of the Willing reassurance force will help Ukraine defend itself against any future attack of Russia. The message is very clear. Russia's efforts are wasted. Europe is wholly committed to Ukraine».