Sybiha in Brussels Urges Use of “All Tools” to Force Putin to Peace Talks
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to use “all diplomatic instruments” to compel Russia to negotiate peace, as Vladimir Putin continues to respond to peace efforts with deadly attacks on civilians, The Gaze reports, referencing European Pravda.
Speaking to the press in Brussels on Monday ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Sybiha opened by referring to the latest Russian missile strike on Kyiv.
“Another heavy missile strike on Ukrainian civilian facilities. Many casualties. Seven people died. This is the real response of the Russian side to all peace efforts and all peace proposals,” he said.
Sybiha emphasized that “Putin brings war,” and underlined the urgency of coordinated international action.
“That is why it is so important that I am here today, on the eve of important international events – the NATO Summit, the EU Summit,” the minister added.
“It is time to use all diplomatic instruments to force Russia to peace, to force Russia to negotiations. They have no reason to sit down at the negotiating table. So, once again: sanctions, isolation, asset freezes,” said Sybiha.
In a broader statement issued earlier, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister pointed out that while “Putin talks about strikes in the Middle East, Russia is rejecting U.S. peace initiatives in Europe and continues killing in Ukraine.”
“Such brutal attacks are deliberately carried out to portray America as weak.”
Sybiha stressed that only forceful and coordinated international action can stop the Russian assault:
“The only way to stop Russian terror is through strength. New and tough sanctions on the Russian economy and oil revenues are needed, as well as secondary sanctions against those who assist Russia’s war machine.”
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