EU foreign ministers may approve an expansion of sanctions against Russia today. This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. According to her, the sanctions concern individuals linked to the deportation of Ukrainian children.
“Of course, we saw that this ceasefire Putin wanted was merely a cynical step to protect his parade, while they were in fact attacking civilians in Ukraine. Ukraine observed the ceasefire. As you know, it had previously proposed an unconditional ceasefire, and Russia did not respond to it.
But today we also expect progress on sanctions against those people who are helping, as you know, to work with Ukrainian children deported from Ukraine. We will also hold a high-level event dedicated to Ukrainian children, to how to actually bring them back and what else the international community can do,” she said.
Kallas also commented on possible negotiations with Russia. According to her, the EU must first formulate a unified position. It is expected to be discussed during a meeting of foreign ministers as part of an informal gathering.
“We will discuss the proposals put forward to address the problems we face. Because, once again, the problem of European security is that Russia constantly… attacks its neighbors, and how we can counter this. And for that we need concessions from the Russian side as well.
I was in Moldova last week, where, for example, Russian troops are stationed. The withdrawal of troops could become one of the conditions for ensuring stability and security in the region. But, of course, there are many issues concerning our demands to Russia in order to ensure a stable and peaceful Europe,” she added.
