EU foreign policy chief says Ukraine may target Russian oil revenue to end war
Kaja Kallas told the European Council summit that Ukraine is justified in striking Russian oil assets to cut war financing, and stressed Europe’s role in pressuring Russia.
During the two-day European Council summit in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Ukraine has the right to hit Russian oil facilities because oil revenues fund the war. She emphasized that the EU’s strategy is to increase pressure on Russia, not on Ukraine, and highlighted ongoing sanctions work. Kallas noted that Europe remains a strong actor in the conflict, shaping decisions on frozen assets and sanction relief.
She also responded to questions about a recently announced US-Russia diesel agreement, stating that Europe maintains a different stance toward the war. The comments reflect continued EU solidarity with Kyiv amid divergent international approaches.
Why it matters
The statements clarify EU policy on targeting Russian oil revenue and its stance toward US-Russia deals, affecting the war's economic dynamics.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 EU drafts step-by-step accession roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania
- Sep 28 The six ministers argue that without cuts amounting to hundreds of billions euros, the EU will fail to reach an agreement on its multi-year financial plan. They propose shifting spending toward defence and innovation to meet growing challenges. A bloc of 17 countries, including Spain and Italy, counters by pushing for increased agricultural subsidies. Ireland, which holds the Council presidency, is working on a compromise.
- Sep 29 The European Commission has prepared a proposal to shift most unanimous votes in EU enlargement talks to qualified-majority voting, keeping veto power only at the start and end of a candidate's accession process.
- Oct 6 The Commission introduced a shift from unanimous to qualified‑majority voting for most accession steps.
- Oct 7 European Commission trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Beijing to discuss limiting Chinese exports to the EU.
- Oct 7 Norway's 2027 defence budget sets aside 85 billion kroner for Ukraine, boosting the Nansen Support Program to a total of 344 billion kroner.
- Oct 9 The Chinese commerce ministry dismissed import‑quota proposals and opened an anti‑dumping probe into EU‑origin PVC ahead of the talks.
- Oct 10 EU has begun drafting specific accession roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania.
- Oct 10 Ireland submitted a negotiation document proposing a budget reduction.
- Oct 11 Ireland released its draft budget proposal on Saturday.
- Oct 11 EU approval of a €1.24 billion transfer to Ukraine’s defence industry.
- Oct 13 Four European Parliament groups issued a joint declaration rejecting the Irish presidency’s revised budget proposal.
- Oct 14 EU officials released a draft accession schedule for the four candidates.
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