High Representative Kaja Kallas: “More military support for Ukraine is very important for the EU security as well”

This was stated by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas after the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 January.

“So, together with the European Foreign Ministers we addressed many pressing security issues today, starting with Ukraine’s security.  

 Europe is Kyiv’s largest international donor. We have provided over € 134 billion in total, but it is clear that Ukraine needs more. The front line is moving west but it should be moving east.  

 Ukraine requires more ammunition, air defence, trained soldiers – points that Foreign Minister Sybiha reiterated also today via video. More military support for Ukraine and stronger sanctions on Russia are two sides of the same coin. More military support for Ukraine is very important for our own security as well.  

So, I welcomed that the Ministers today agreed to extend sanctions on Russia. This will continue to deprive Putin of revenues to fund his war.  

At the height of winter, the Kremlin is using also energy to blackmail Moldova. So today, in response, the European Union decided to provide €30 million to help Moldova to buy and transport national gas.

At the height of winter, the Kremlin is also using different tools, so we will help to restore electricity and heating for over hundreds of thousands of its people, Moldovan people.  

In times of need, you will always support [your] friends, so we are there for our friends.  

We also discussed enhancing Europe’s own security, [since] Russia's hybrid actions are increasing in frequency and intensity. We saw this across the European Union. The Baltic Sea has seen major cases of damage of undersea installations. Our failure to deter such actions sends a dangerous signal to any aggressor. Weakness invites them in. That is very clear.  

Together, we are strengthening our situational awareness, preparedness and resilience. Failure to act now risks further aggression – not just from Russia but also from others. Raising the costs for those behind these attacks is essential. This must also include stronger sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet”.  

The full text is available here: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/foreign-affairs-council-press-remarks-high-representative-kaja-kallas-after-meeting_en?channel=eeas_press_alerts&date=2025-01-27&newsid=0&langid=en&source=mail