EU Set to Slap Russia with 20th Sanctions Package
Kallas made the remarks at a joint press conference following the E5 Defense Ministerial Meeting in Krakow, Poland, attended by defense ministers from Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland, and France, alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska.
"Europe's security is more uncertain than it has been in decades. Russia poses a major threat that is clear for everybody. The Middle East remains unstable, and China is a long-term challenge, and the transatlantic link is being redefined," Kallas said.
While Russia's ground offensive in Ukraine remains largely stalled, Kallas cautioned that Moscow's hybrid warfare operations — spanning cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone incursions — are accelerating across the continent.
Brussels, she stressed, is not standing idle. "But Europe is also responding. We are sanctioning those responsible. We have tightened controls of the movements of Russian diplomats. We have stepped up actions against Russia's shadow fleet, and we deployed hybrid response teams to partner countries at risk," she said.
On the imminent sanctions push, Kallas was direct: "Next Monday, we aim to adopt the 20th sanctions package against Russia. Sanctions are working. They are severely hurting Russia's economy, and each new measure further limits its ability to wage the war."
She also issued a pointed warning regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculus. "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin won't end this war until the costs are higher than the benefits, and that is the point we must reach," she added.
Addressing recent Geneva talks, Kallas said the negotiations revealed no meaningful shift in Moscow's position. "The war has grown even more brutal for Ukraine over the past year; Russia is dragging out negotiations rather than moving towards peace... We need to also see the concessions from the Russian side in order to have a sustainable peace," she said.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Shekerinska reinforced the alliance's commitment to collective defense, underscoring that transatlantic unity remains non-negotiable. "The transatlantic alliance is the bedrock of our security in Europe. It remains essential on both sides of the Atlantic, and we are working together to ensure that we remain strong and we remain capable," she stressed.
Shekerinska further signaled that NATO stands on full alert as European nations accelerate efforts to shoulder greater responsibility for their own defense.
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