Russian leader Vladimir Putin responds to peace proposals with strikes on civilians, so now is the time to use every diplomatic tool to compel Russia to negotiate.

Source: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on 23 June, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The minister began his comments to the press by referring to yet another difficult night in Kyiv.

Quote: "Another heavy missile attack on Ukrainian civilian targets. Many casualties. Seven people killed. So that's the real response of the Russian side to all peace efforts, to all peace proposals."

Details:Sybiha stressed that "Putin is a war maker" and that now is the time to deploy "all diplomatic instruments" to raise the cost of further Russian aggression.

Quote: "This is why it’s so important that today I’m here, ahead of us – important international events – the NATO summit, the EU summit. 

It’s a proper time to use all diplomatic instruments to force Russia to peace, to force Russia to negotiate. They have no reasons to sit around the negotiating table. So once again: sanctions, isolation, frozen assets."

Details:Sybiha is participating in Monday’s EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the invitation of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Background: The EU is expected to approve its 18th package of sanctions against Russia this week over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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