EU slams Russia’s new Ukraine strike, pledges fresh sanctions
Kaja Kallas Criticises Russia’s New Ukrainian Assaults
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, publicly denounced Russia’s latest offensive on Ukraine on Friday. EU officials are now debating a fresh series of sanctions aimed at Moscow.
Russia’s Escalated Drone and Missile Barrage
Russia has unleashed the largest drone and missile barrage since Moscow first deployed troops in Ukraine more than three years ago.
“Russia has intensified attacks on civilians to inflict maximum suffering… and that is unacceptable,” said the EU’s foreign policy chief.
EU’s Sanctions Strategy
- Brussels is weighing an 18th round of sanctions against Moscow.
- The EU remains negotiating an oil‑price cap that would deprive Russia of war‑funding.
Kallas was speaking amid a foreign‑minister conference in Kuala Lumpur, stressing the need for collective pressure on Russia.
Laos Involvement Questioned
Trump’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a brief exchange on the Ukraine war at the ASEAN event. Kallas had raised rumors that Laos would supply troops to Moscow to support Ukraine. She met Laos’s top diplomat in Vientiane on Friday and was assured that Laos had “no intention or willingness.”
She warned Laos that cooperation with Russia would jeopardize EU aid. The EU is keen on maintaining productive ties, but any assistance to Russia would “choke our cooperation.”
US Trade Tactics Shadow ASEAN Meeting
US tariffs have also dominated the ASEAN gathering. Kallas could not meet Rubio to discuss Washington’s tariff plans for Brussels. The EU trade team is working hard to devise solutions and reach agreements, but it is not yet ready. The EU hopes to strike a trade deal with Washington “in the coming days.” If that deal fails, higher tariffs return and could trigger a bitter trade war.
The EU expected Trump to keep a 10‑percent baseline tariff on EU goods, with exemptions for critical sectors like aircraft, spirits, and cosmetics. European diplomats told AFP this week that the US was considering a full‑scale tariff blockade.
Australia’s Opposition to Russia
Australia’s top diplomat Penny Wong also condemned Russia’s latest attacks. “We want the conflict resolved on Ukrainian terms, and we want to see Russia reflect on the position it is taking, which is in breach of international law,” Wong told a news conference.
Zelensky Urges Quick Sanctions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to quickly roll out fresh sanctions against Moscow following this week’s overnight strikes.
