Kaja Kallas in Kyiv: ‘Russia’s war economy is already weak. We will make it weaker’
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, during a one-day visit to Kyiv on 13 October, announced the allocation of the first €10 million for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for Crimes of Aggression. She also discussed financial and military support, the security of Ukraine’s energy sector, and holding Russia accountable for its war crimes.
Kaja Kallas confirmed that this year the European Union is providing record levels of military support to Ukraine.
“EU sanctions have already deprived Russia of hundreds of billions of euros to fund its war.
We will soon adopt new measures targeting Russia’s energy, finance and trade revenues. Russia’s war economy is already weak. We will make it weaker,” Kaja Kallas told journalists at the joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. “Inflation exceeds 20%, cash reserves are depleted, and growth is close to zero.”
Kaja Kallas also said that Russia’s summer offensive has failed: “Its minimal territorial gains come with the huge Russian casualties and cost.”
According to Kallas, the European Union has already mobilised €800 million to support Ukraine this winter and is working on an extra €100 million for generators, shelters, and cold weather gear.
Kallas reminded that the European Union has decided to scale up Ukraine’s combat power with €2 billion for drones. She added that the EU would also expand the mandate of the EU civilian mission in Ukraine to cover cyber defence and veteran support.
At the press conference, she also announced €6 million in funding to support the care of children that are deported by Russia and survivors of sexual violence. “This can help ensure the victims of these crimes receive the care they need /…/ The forced deportation of children and rape are among the darkest chapters of Russia’s war.”
Kaja Kallas also announced that this week, together with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, she will present a roadmap for European defence aiming “to prevent war”.
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