During a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday 20 October, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha briefed his European counterparts on the results of the meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States and called for increased pressure on Russia.

Source : European Pravda, citing Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Details : Sybiha informed EU foreign ministers about the outcomes of the meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in Washington and stressed the need for collective pressure on Russia to force it towards peace.

"It is possible to end Russia's war against Ukraine. But this requires pressure, pressure and more pressure – the only thing Putin understands," the foreign minister said.

Sybiha confirmed that the Ukrainian side is ready for a bilateral meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, or a trilateral format with the participation of the US president, and believes such a meeting must be results-oriented. He underlined that a ceasefire remains a key element of any genuine peace process.

The minister also noted that the EU's 19th sanctions package against Russia stands to become one of the most effective. He said he is confident that its adoption would send a strong signal of EU unity and resolve. He added that the decision is expected "very soon".

Sybiha emphasised the importance of strengthening restrictions on Russian diplomats, calling such a step "the right response to Russia's escalating hybrid actions in Europe".

He urged the EU to help Ukraine get through its fourth wartime winter amid Russian attacks on the energy sector by providing additional energy supplies and equipment.

The minister also stressed the urgent need for European support in bolstering Ukraine's air defence capabilities and the physical protection of energy facilities.

Background :

• Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that the EU's 19th sanctions package against Russia could be approved on Thursday 23 October.
• The package is expected to include additional tariffs on goods from Russia and Belarus and sanctions targeting the Russian energy and financial sectors.
• On 18 October, Austria announced that it would support the adoption of the new sanctions package, removing one of the key obstacles to the vote.

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