▲ Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions on Russia rather than pursuing a diesel import deal with Moscow.
Speaking to reporters ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on the 12th (local time), Kallas said, "We are asking [the U.S.] to implement sanctions on Russia so that we can end this war and eliminate all the fallout from attacks on oil refineries."
President Trump, anxious about worsening public opinion driven by soaring diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections, previously stated on the 9th that he was pursuing measures to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel onto the global market.
This approach has sparked controversy as it upends the international community's years-long stance on sanctions against Russia.
President Trump also demanded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, pressing him that otherwise Ukraine would need a new president.
Emphasizing that Trump's approach should be completely reversed, Kallas pointed out that stepping up sanctions and pressure on Russia is the only way to fundamentally end energy supply disruptions.
Kallas added, "If the U.S. aligns with the EU's sanctions against Russia, it can exert real pressure on Russia to end this war," noting that once the war ends, it will also become possible for Ukraine to hold elections.
Regarding President Trump's announcement that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, she expressed skepticism, saying, "While we would welcome it if it is actually implemented, it remains unconfirmed whether Russia will comply."
Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers are expected to approve new sanctions on some 1,600 individuals and entities suspected of supporting Russia's war effort.
According to AFP, this package is the largest Russia sanctions measure put forward by the EU to date and is primarily aimed at Russia's defense industry.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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