Specific requests and disappointments. EU’s top diplomat speaks about her visit to Kyiv

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, called on the European Union to work on fulfilling its promises to Ukraine regarding the supply of military aid. The statement was made as she was sharing the results of her trip to Kyiv with journalists at NATO headquarters, as reported by a Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty) correspondent.

“They had very specific requests, as always, as well as disappointment that not everything promised is actually reaching them. So, we really need to work on all these promises to actually fulfil them,” Kallas noted.

The new head of EU diplomacy noted that the European Union is working on a new package of sanctions against Russia, as well as on unblocking funds from the European Peace Facility. These funds are used to reimburse member states for the cost of weapons transferred to Ukraine, with more than six and a half billion euros unavailable now due to the Hungary’s veto.

“There are revenues from immobilised assets that will be used. But we also need to continue working on the immobilised assets themselves… I mean putting pressure on Russia to stop this war. This is, of course, not easy, but we need to do it,” she said.

The top diplomat also stated that the conflict is becoming more global amid the involvement of soldiers from North Korea and the intensification of Russian hybrid attacks on NATO countries, and only by remaining united will the allies be able to counter this, according to Kallas.

“We also need to cooperate closely because it is really a matter of global security… Wars are not always won, but they cannot be won if victory is not set as a goal. If victory is set as a goal, it will also be very clear what to do, what strategy, what tactics to help Ukraine win the war. I believe this is what we must do to make them as strong as possible,” Kallas summarised.

On December 1, the first day of the new European Commission’s work, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Ukraine.

radiosvoboda.org