EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas talked to the media before the informal EU defense ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday. Photo Thomas Traasdahl/EPA
European Union member states published a statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on the war in Ukraine, and Kallas said in a meeting that Russia mocks peace efforts.
The statement, which was supported by 26 member states, denounced the recent attack on Kyiv that killed 23 people, including four children, and damaged the British Council and the EU delegation offices.
“We extend our condolences, stand in solidarity with all Ukrainians and strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure, which are a deliberate escalation and undermine efforts toward peace,” the statement by Kallas said.
“The attack also caused serious damage to the buildings of the Delegation of the European Union in Kyiv, once again demonstrating the reckless nature of Russia’s attacks and its disregard for international law. Endangering the lives of diplomats and diplomatic personnel is a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the statement continued.
“Intentional attacks against civilians and non-military objectives are war crimes. All commanders, perpetrators and accomplices of these grave violations of international humanitarian law shall be held to account.”
The statement said that the EU will continue to support Ukraine and will begin work on a 19th package of sanctions against Russia.
“Russia must stop the killing and show genuine willingness for peace,” the statement said.
Kallas was in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a Gymnich meeting — an informal meeting on EU foreign policy. She told the press that Russia is “mocking peace” efforts.
“These attacks show that Putin is just mocking any kind of peace efforts that are made,” she told the press. “What we have to do is increase pressure on Russia. This is really what they understand, the pressure.”
The 26 member states that signed on to the statement are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The United Kingdom also associates itself to this statement.
