The EU has boosted its support for Ukraine by agreeing to a new set of sanctions against Russia ahead of a flurry of meetings in Brussels, Kyiv and Washington this week.
“We have to support Ukraine right now, more than ever,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The 16th package of sanctions against Russia, which the ministers agreed on Monday, includes a ban on primary aluminum imports and sales of gaming consoles, as well as listing owners and operators of 74 so-called shadow fleet vessels used to evade sanctions.
Meanwhile, several EU leaders and ministers will be in Kyiv on Monday to mark their support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, while France and Britain's leaders were traveling to the United States to meet Trump.
Ukraine would receive a new payment of €3.5 billion ($3.68 billion) in March, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in Kyiv, referring to a tranche of pre-approved aid being paid.
Von der Leyen said Ukraine would also benefit from EU plans to scale up European arms production and defense capabilities.
The 16th package of sanctions against Russia, which the ministers agreed on Monday, includes a ban on primary aluminum imports and sales of gaming consoles, as well as listing owners and operators of 74 so-called shadow fleet vessels used to evade sanctions.
Meanwhile, several EU leaders and ministers will be in Kyiv on Monday to mark their support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, while France and Britain's leaders were traveling to the United States to meet Trump.
Ukraine would receive a new payment of €3.5 billion ($3.68 billion) in March, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in Kyiv, referring to a tranche of pre-approved aid being paid.
Von der Leyen said Ukraine would also benefit from EU plans to scale up European arms production and defense capabilities.
Russia is the aggressor
Speaking in Brussels, Kallas also said she would travel to the U.S. on Tuesday to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss EU-U.S. relations and the talks between Washington and Moscow on ending the war in Ukraine.
“You can discuss whatever you want with Putin, but if it comes to Ukraine and Europe, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,” Kallas said.
Several foreign ministers at the Brussels meeting wore blue and yellow colors to mark their solidarity with Kyiv.
Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said one should not confuse the victim, Ukraine and the aggressor, Russia.
“It's totally unacceptable, as the U.S. wants to do today at the United Nations, to put the two countries on the same footing,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said. “There is an aggressor, and there is a victim.”
Kallas herself said it was “clear” the “Russian narrative” was represented in Trump's comments about the Russia-Ukraine war.
“You can discuss whatever you want with Putin, but if it comes to Ukraine and Europe, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,” Kallas said.
Several foreign ministers at the Brussels meeting wore blue and yellow colors to mark their solidarity with Kyiv.
Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said one should not confuse the victim, Ukraine and the aggressor, Russia.
“It's totally unacceptable, as the U.S. wants to do today at the United Nations, to put the two countries on the same footing,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said. “There is an aggressor, and there is a victim.”
Kallas herself said it was “clear” the “Russian narrative” was represented in Trump's comments about the Russia-Ukraine war.
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