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Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory are causing panic in the Kremlin, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse on Wednesday, Kallas said that Ukraine’s recent attacks have exposed Russia’s growing difficulties, UATV English reports.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in Saint Petersburg while officials were gathered there for an economic forum.
“This is also clearly showing panic on Russia’s side — they are increasing terrorist attacks in Ukraine precisely because they do not know how to deal with this,” Kallas said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as a “fair” response to Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine and warned that further attacks could follow.
“Ukraine has indeed stepped up strikes on oil facilities because oil is what finances the war against Ukraine,” Kallas said.
“At the same time, we see that Putin is losing money, people, and momentum, and that is why he is intensifying attacks against civilians,” she added.
In recent days, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has launched a series of large-scale drone and missile attacks against Ukraine.
“He is clearly escalating terror to spread fear and because he is losing ground on the battlefield,” Kallas said.
“But I think they have not managed to break the resilience of Ukrainians so far, and I doubt they will achieve that through these attacks.”
The European Union is currently preparing a new round of sanctions against Moscow in an effort to increase pressure on the Kremlin.
According to Kallas, a key element of the proposed package is aimed at reducing Russia’s oil revenues despite rising global energy prices linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
“We have a very clear objective targeting the military industry and financial institutions so that they cannot raise capital to finance this war,” she said.
“At the same time, we also need to increase support for Ukraine so that it can defend itself, because these attacks are horrific,” the diplomat added.
As US-mediated efforts to end the war have stalled, calls have grown for the European Union to play a larger role in attempts to stop the conflict.
Kallas reiterated her position that the EU cannot serve as a neutral mediator between the two sides because of its firm support for Kyiv.
“Obviously, the war in Iran, the Middle East, and the Strait of Hormuz is drawing American attention, but I believe the more important issue right now is that we do not see any willingness from Russia to engage in genuine negotiations,” she said.
“The most important thing is how we can compel them to negotiate with the Ukrainians and make concessions that will guarantee Europe’s security.”
Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová said that Russia’s massive attacks on Ukraine are evidence that Moscow is failing on the battlefield.
On the night of June 2, Russian forces launched missiles and attack drones against several Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly neutralized 642 of the 729 aerial targets launched.
The main target of the attack was Kyiv, while the regions of Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and others also came under attack.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called for increased pressure on Russia, stating that “the aggressor knows no limits.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Western allies to help Ukraine obtain additional missiles for Patriot air defense systems and to maintain pressure on Moscow.
Read also: Ukraine Intercepted More Than 5,000 Aerial Targets in May, 14.5 Times More Than U.S. and Allies
