Ukraine Urges Realistic Russia Strategy at EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the European Union to adopt “realistic” strategies aimed at compelling Russia to end its war against Ukraine, warning that Moscow continues to show no genuine interest in peace.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a statement made by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Speaking via video link to an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen on Saturday, Sybiha underscored that recent Russian strikes on the EU’s representation, the British Council in Kyiv, and on a U.S. facility in western Ukraine prove that President Vladimir Putin has no intention of halting hostilities.
“Russia remains an existential threat to the whole of Europe and the transatlantic community. Strategies on Russia and the peace process must be grounded in reality, not false assumptions,” he said.
Sybiha thanked EU partners for their swift response to Russia’s air attacks and welcomed progress on the bloc’s 19th package of sanctions, while stressing that coordinated measures with the United States were vital to maximize pressure on Moscow. “Sanctions are most effective when they are timely and well-coordinated,” he noted.
The minister also urged EU countries to step up military support for Kyiv, expand investment in Ukraine’s defense industry, especially drone production, and make full use of new EU mechanisms such as SAFE and PURL.
He further pressed allies to advance legal steps for channeling frozen Russian assets into Ukraine’s defense and postwar recovery.
“Putin must understand that continuing this war threatens not only his regime but him personally. Either he stops now or faces grave consequences. That is the strategy of peace through strength,” Sybiha said.
The Copenhagen meeting, held in the so-called “Gymnich” format, also included representatives from the United Kingdom, Iceland and Norway, who joined EU ministers in discussing ways to tighten sanctions against Russia.
As The Gaze reported earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the EU is preparing a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that could target its energy sector, financial services, and third countries helping Moscow evade existing restrictions.