European Union (EU) foreign ministers are meeting in Copenhagen on Saturday to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to increase pressure on Russia, with calls for tougher sanctions and use of frozen Russian assets.
Danish Foreign Minister and host Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Vladimir Putin was “buying time” to distract from ongoing attacks and urged the EU to move from speeches to “real actions.”
He called for stronger sanctions to “further pressure Russia” and suggested Ukrainian defense production plants in Europe.
Meanwhile, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said a “deep dive” is needed on frozen Russian assets, noting they could not simply be returned if Moscow refuses to pay reparations.
Kallas highlighted that a lot of diplomatic efforts are being made to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the table, but questioned if Russia really wants peace.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for more sanctions against Russia, and continued military support and security guarantees for Kyiv.
Brekelmans also criticized Hungary’s stance as impeding Ukraine, the EU and peace efforts by the US.
Wadephul urges EU to uphold Ukraine commitments to pressure Putin
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Saturday that Europe must focus on fulfilling support commitments to Ukraine to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
“The only right debate is whether and when Putin will negotiate,” Wadephul said on the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen.
He pointed out that ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes in Ukraine showed Moscow was not ready for talks.
The German foreign minister urged EU partners to “increase the pressure” on Putin by upholding support measures and considering further steps.
“Only fulfilled support commitments will bring Russia to the table,” he said, adding that other issues should wait until then.
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