EU diplomacy chief arrives in Kyiv for talks on aid and energy security

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has arrived in Kyiv for high-level talks on military aid, energy infrastructure, and Russian accountability amid intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s power grid.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday for meetings with senior officials, as Kyiv faces renewed Russian strikes on its energy sector ahead of winter.

The visit comes days after a large-scale missile and drone assault on 10 October caused widespread blackouts across Kyiv and other regions. Ukraine’s government has since called on Western allies to expedite air defence support and release frozen Russian assets to fund critical repairs and resilience measures.

Speaking on X, formerly Twitter, Kallas said discussions would focus on financial and military aid, energy security, and “holding Russia accountable for its war crimes.” She was met in Kyiv by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

European leaders have been debating a plan to use immobilised Russian central bank assets — currently frozen in Western jurisdictions — to support Ukraine through a “reparations loan.” The proposal could unlock at least €140 billion (about $160 billion), to be repaid only if and when Moscow agrees to war reparations.

The EU visit also follows a rise in tensions between Russia and NATO countries, with repeated violations of alliance airspace by Russian drones and aircraft. Suspected drone activity recently disrupted air traffic in Germany, Norway, and Denmark.

Kallas is due to chair a meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels on Wednesday, where officials are expected to “exchange views on defence readiness” and review ongoing support to Ukraine’s armed forces.

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