The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, urged member states of the European Union with end-of-life interceptor missiles to supply them to Ukraine this Tuesday. Kallas warned that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilians to "break the Ukrainian population," noting that July and August were the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine.
The head of European diplomacy highlighted the need to support Ukraine's air defense, mentioning that some countries have interceptors that would soon reach the end of their useful life. This statement appears to be an apparent allusion to Spain and Greece, which hold significant reserves of interceptors and are among the member states that have provided the fewest missiles of this type to Kyiv.
During the informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, the possibility of unlocking the 6.6 billion euros destined for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, which had been vetoed by the Hungarian government in 2024, was also discussed. Kallas said many member states have already said the recovered funds will be delivered again to Ukraine.
Ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East, namely the war in Iran and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Kallas said must be respected. Regarding the attacks in the West Bank against Palestinians, the High Representative noted that although all member states have condemned them, there is still no consensus in the bloc to suspend trade with settlements. The meeting took place in Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, preceding on Wednesday a meeting of foreign ministers in Wicklow, with Portuguese representation by Paulo Rangel.
