Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas about Ukraine

Now on Ukraine. Talks will continue and our priorities are twofold: putting more pressure on Moscow and generating more support for Kyiv. Europe is providing Ukraine with a record of €27 billions of military support this year, we have also met our pledge of providing 2 million rounds of artillery shells, but it is also clear that it is no time to slow down. We have to do more to strengthen Ukraine's defence and its hand in negotiations, while Russia keeps rejecting peace. Ministers were clear that any peace deal must include strong security guarantees, as Ukraine has been pressured into giving up NATO, this will be the only safeguard capable of stopping Russia from re-invading. The EU will do its part, including with training and defence industry support. 

Russia's shadow fleet remains its cash lifeline, and we are cutting it. Today, we sanctioned several individuals linked to Rosneft and Lukoil as well as shipping companies also additional 40 vessels to the sanctions list to cut off Russia's cash flow faster. We will now also sanction shadow Fleet vessels on a rolling basis, with decisions every month. Ministers also impose new sanctions on those involved in Russian hybrid actions against our countries as hybrid attacks from Belarus grow and we also broaden our sanctions regime to target those responsible. The message is clear: those who threaten our security will face consequences.  

This is a decisive week for funding Ukraine. Member States have already agreed to immobilize Russian assets for the long term, and this was the right thing to do. On Thursday, the European Council is set to decide Ukraine's funding for 2026 to 2027. 

I want to make this very simple. Supporting Ukraine costs money, that is very clear, but letting Ukraine fall would cost us much more. Accountability for Russia's crimes is essential for a just and lasting peace.  

Tomorrow, in The Hague, we will establish a commission to address claims for war damages caused by Russia. The Commission’s register has already received 80,000 submissions. It will review, assess and determine the compensation owed to Ukraine. Russia will not escape the bill for the homes, schools and hospitals it has destroyed. 

And finally, on issue of territorial concessions, only Ukraine can decide the terms of any deal. But we all know that Donbas is not Putin's end game. If he gets it, he will want more. Concessions should be made by the aggressor, not by the victim. There is no moral equivalence between the two sides.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-282082