During a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Kallas announced the allocation of additional funds for generators, shelters and equipment protecting against difficult weather conditions. She noted that these actions are a response to intense Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which are aimed at making the upcoming winter extremely difficult for the inhabitants of Ukraine.
Additionally, the European Union allocated EUR 10 million to create a special tribunal to consider crimes committed by Russia and EUR 6 million to support deported Ukrainian children and victims of sexual violence. Kallas recalled that in May, a meeting of foreign ministers of EU countries was held in Lviv, where the establishment of such a tribunal was discussed. She stressed that Russian leaders must be held accountable for their actions because, as she said, “without the crime of aggression, further crimes and atrocities would not have occurred.”
She called the deportations of Ukrainian children and sexual violence “one of the darkest pages of the war unleashed by Russia.” She explained that the EU funds would help provide appropriate care for the victims of these crimes.
Risk of escalation and strengthening European defense
The head of EU diplomacy also drew attention to the growing risk of escalation of the conflict with Russia. She emphasized that any violation of European airspace by Russian drones or planes carries a potential risk of escalation, both intentional and unintentional. “We must transform Ukraine's economic power into a defense power” – she noted, adding that European defense should focus on capabilities such as the anti-drone system.
Kallas emphasized that strengthening European defense against Russia should be done in a way that is anticipatory and prevents escalation, but at the same time not provocative. She also stressed the need for full compliance with NATO's activities in this area.
Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that seven more countries intend to join the NATO initiative called PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List), which concerns the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine. He emphasized that there should be no “taboo” on the issue of arms supplies for Ukraine's defense. “Our responses to Russian attacks must be mirror-like and far-reaching,” he emphasized.
