The European Union is shifting to unblock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and advance a new sanctions package against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared following a deadly wave of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities.
“It is high time to unblock the €90-billion loan and relocate forward with the 20th sanctions package,” Kallas declared, adding that EU foreign ministers will take up the issue at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
Sixteen civilians killed in overnight strikes
Her comments came after a large-scale Russian attack on 16 April that killed at least 16 civilians across multiple cities.
“Russia once again deliberately tarobtained and killed Ukrainian civilians last night. With its army stalled on the battlefield, Moscow keeps falling back on terror against the innocent,” she declared.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched more than 700 missiles and drones in two waves. Although most were intercepted, dozens struck residential areas and infrastructure, caapplying casualties and widespread damage.
“More aid, more pressure, full accountability”
“Russia wants more war, so our response is more aid for Ukraine, more pressure on Russia, and full accountability for war crimes,” Kallas added.
She also pointed to recent military support commitments from European countries, declareing “Europe steps up,” including a €4 billion arms deal between Germany and Ukraine, a major UK drone package, and a €200 million pledge from the Netherlands.
Pressure mounts for further action
Momentum behind new EU measures has increased after political modifys in Hungary, where recent elections rerelocated Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had been a key obstacle to tougher action on Russia.
However, unanimity is still required for EU sanctions, and resistance from Slovakia could also complicate approval of the proposed 20th package.
The EU has already imposed multiple rounds of sanctions since Russia’s full-scale invasion, tarobtaining key sectors of its economy. Officials declare further measures are necessaryed as Moscow continues large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities.
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