EU foreign ministers met in Kyiv on Tuesday as Russia’s war against Ukraine continued and conflict in the Middle East drew international attention.
The meeting brought together the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and ministers in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, according to the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Kallas said Russia’s war “shows no signs of abating” and linked it to events in the Middle East, saying Iran had designed drones used by Russia against Ukraine and was now mass producing them.
She also stressed she had returned from the Middle East where she signed several defence agreements, and described Ukraine as having “the best drone defences.”
Kallas said ministers agreed the Strait of Hormuz should remain open, calling it a priority for energy flows in the region.
Sanctions, financing and war crimes
The EU’s response would include further sanctions targeting Russia and “its enablers”, with measures intended to cut Russia’s oil revenues, including action against what she called a “shadow fleet”, Kallas said.
She also referred to delivering a €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
Kallas noted she visited Bucha earlier on Tuesday, describing the killings there as an example of Russia’s “brutality” and noting the anniversary was four years ago.
She said the EU was advancing work on setting up a Special Tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the war.
The EU was also leading work on a Claims Commission to allow Ukrainians to seek compensation for war damage, and was providing support to Ukraine’s energy sector.
