The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, urged member states with interceptor missiles nearing the end of their useful life to supply them to Ukraine, warning that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilians to "break the Ukrainian population." Kallas noted that July and August "were the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine" and that Ukrainians are holding firm, so they need to be supported.
The EU's chief diplomat highlighted that it is necessary to support Ukraine in terms of air defense and, more specifically, interceptor missiles. The official stated that some countries have interceptors that will soon reach the end of their useful life, so it would be important for them to be delivered to Kyiv. This statement appears to be an apparent reference to Spain and Greece, which hold significant reserves of interceptors and are among the member states that have supplied the fewest of this type of missile to Ukraine. The EU is also contacting third countries to supply interceptor missiles, although Kallas acknowledged that this "is very difficult."
At 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 that "this can happen in the coming days" and that many member states have already said that any recovered funds will be again delivered to Ukraine.
The ministers also addressed the situation in the Middle East, namely the war in Iran, with Kallas insisting that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "must be respected." Regarding the attacks in the West Bank against Palestinians, the High Representative noted that all member states have condemned them, but reiterated that there is no consensus in the bloc to suspend trade with settlements. The meeting in Ireland precedes another, on Wednesday, of the foreign ministers, where Portugal will be represented by Paulo Rangel.
