Time no longer on Russia's side, EU diplomacy chief says during Kyiv visit
Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional details.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, arrived in Kyiv on Oct. 13 for discussions with Ukrainian officials on Europe's financial and military support for the war-torn country.
The talks will also concern Ukraine's energy sector and "holding Russia accountable for its war crimes," Kallas said on X.
The visit comes as Russia has escalated attacks against Ukraine's energy grid as winter draws near. A combined missile and drone strike on Oct. 10 caused widespread outages in Kyiv and across Ukrainian regions.
Later in the day, Kallas announced that the EU has pledged an initial 10 million euros ($11.5 million) to set up a special tribunal to prosecute Russia's aggression against Ukraine, alongside another 6 million euros ($7 million) to support Ukrainian children deported by Russia and victims of sexual violence.
"The EU has already mobilized 800 million euros ($930 million) to support Ukraine this winter," Kallas said at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"We are working on an extra 100 million euros ($120 million) for generators, shelters, and cold-weather gear."
Sybiha, in turn, highlighted European military support for Ukraine under the NATO-led Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which allows allies to purchase U.S. arms for Kyiv.
Six countries have already allocated funds to PURL, and seven more nations have signaled intent to participate, Ukraine's chief diplomat said during the briefing.
NATO allies have allocated over $2 billion for Ukraine under the initiative in September, with the first shipments approved by the Trump administration reportedly including Patriot and HIMARS missiles.
Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have already allocated funds to PURL.
Other allies, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, Belgium, Iceland, and Slovenia, also voiced readiness to participate.
"This year, the European Union is providing record levels of military support. EU sanctions have already deprived Russia of hundreds of billions of euros to fund its war," Kallas said, pledging further measures.
"Maybe time was once on Russia's side, but it's shifting to Ukraine now."
As Russia ramps up its attacks, Kyiv has called upon its Western partners to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses and use immobilized assets to aid Ukraine.
European leaders have been discussing the use of frozen Russian central bank assets to fund a so-called reparations loan, which could provide Kyiv with at least 140 billion euros ($160 billion), to be repaid only once Moscow agrees to pay war reparations.
Recent months also saw tensions rise between Moscow and Europe due to Russian drones and aircraft repeatedly violating NATO airspace. Further suspicious drone sightings caused airport disruptions in Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
Kallas is scheduled to chair a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels on Oct. 15, where the European officials "will exchange views on defense readiness."
Sonya Bandouil
