Kallas defends Ukraine strikes on Russian oil sites
Key Takeaways
- Kaja Kallas said Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are targeting a key source of war funding.
- The EU is preparing a new sanctions package aimed at Russia's military industry and financial sector.
- Kallas argued that Moscow is escalating attacks on civilians while showing little willingness to negotiate.
EU foreign policy chief says attacks are aimed at weakening Moscow's ability to fund the war
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has defended Ukraine's deep strikes on Russian territory, arguing that attacks on oil facilities are targeting a key source of funding for Moscow's war effort.
Her comments came after Ukrainian drones struck energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, coinciding with Russia's flagship economic conference attended by President Vladimir Putin.
Kallas, in an interview, said Ukraine's strategy reflects an effort to reduce the resources available to Russia's military.
"Ukraine has really increased the deep strikes against the oil facilities, because oil is something that is funding the war in Ukraine," she said.
She argued that the attacks were creating pressure on Moscow.
"It clearly shows also panic on the Russian side -- why they are increasing the terrorist attacks that they're doing in Ukraine is because they don't know what to do with these things," Kallas said.
The remarks followed a series of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine that killed at least 23 people on Tuesday.
Kallas said Russia was facing growing challenges on multiple fronts.
"We see at the same time that Putin is losing money, men, and momentum, and that's why he's increasing attacks on civilians."
She added: "He's clearly terrorising more to create fear, and because he's on a back foot in the battlefield."
"But I think they haven't been able to break the resilience of Ukrainians so far, and I doubt that they're going to do this with these attacks."
The EU is currently preparing a new sanctions package against Moscow, with measures aimed at limiting Russia's ability to finance the war.
Kallas said the proposed sanctions would target Russia's military industry and financial sector.
"We have a very clear goal in mind targeting the military industry, targeting the financial institutions, so that they can't raise capital to finance this war," she said.
"At the same time we also need to increase support to Ukraine, so that they can defend themselves, because these attacks are atrocious."
Kallas also said there had been little sign that Russia was ready to engage seriously in negotiations.
"Clearly the war in Iran and the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz is taking the attention of the Americans, but I think more important so far we haven't seen the willingness from the Russian side to actually negotiate," she said.
"That's the most important, how we can push them to talk to the Ukrainians, so that they also make concessions that make Europe secure."
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
