European official: No signs of imminent peace in Ukraine

Brussels, Oct 26 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said on Monday that prospects for a near-term peace in Ukraine remain limited amid ongoing Russian attacks, warning that Ukraine faces another harsh winter due to the war. Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the defense ministers of the European Five (E5) in Paris, Kallas noted that new diplomatic initiatives have not been met with a corresponding shift in Russia’s position, pointing out that Moscow has recently launched intense attacks on Kyiv and sunk civilian vessels in the Black Sea. She stressed the need to help Ukraine withstand the attacks and raise the cost of the war for Russia, noting that the EU has adopted its largest package of sanctions listings against Russia since the start of the war this month, while working to impose further measures. Kallas added that European efforts to combat what is known as Russia’s shadow fleet have succeeded in stripping hundreds of illegal tankers of their flags, praising France’s actions in this regard and confirming that ship inspections carried out by France and other EU countries are forcing these vessels to take longer, more costly routes. In a related development, Kallas emphasized the need to strengthen European defense readiness and translate rising military spending into actual capabilities, noting that she presented the EU’s first report on defense readiness to EU leaders in October. She stressed the importance of continuing to modernize European forces and military capabilities to build a stronger Europe within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The European Five (E5) comprises France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. (End) A.R.N. / R.J.