Kuleba to brief EU ministers on state of affairs on ground, Ukraine's needs to deter Russian aggression on Monday

BRUSSELS. March 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba will brief his colleagues of the European Union member states about the situation on the ground and the needs of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

This was reported in Brussels on Friday, announcing the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, which is scheduled for Monday, a high-ranking European diplomat told reporters on condition of anonymity. He said prior to the start of the Council’s work, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba will join the EU Foreign Ministers via videoconference and brief them on the situation on the ground, as well as Ukraine’s current needs and priorities.

According to the European diplomat, the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine is first on the agenda of the meeting, the second issue for discussion is Tunisia. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell will also inform about the state of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, issues related to Iran, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Detailing the discussion of the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the diplomat said the ministers would talk about “three lines of EU policy:” support for Ukraine, undermining Russian aggression and the global consequences of the conflict in the light of bringing to justice the perpetrators of crimes. The source said there will be mention of Zelenskyy’s peace plan, the Grain Initiative, Ukrainian children forcibly displaced and deported to Russia.

Answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine agency about sanctions against Russia, the diplomat said he does not exclude that any of the ministers will raise the issue of sanctions, but at present it is not expected that any decision will be made on Monday. The official also said the EU adopted ten packages of sanctions aimed to undermine Putin’s ability to wage this war by shutting down virtually everything. He assured that the EU officials have not stopped, but most of sanctions are already working.

Speaking about the sanctions for Rosatom, a senior diplomat called it a “difficult issue” as the provision of technical assistance to nuclear plants already operating in Europe and the supply of nuclear fuel are elements that are difficult to replace. He said the issue is on the table and discussion will continue.