Speaking at the European Arctic Summit held Monday in Rovaniemi, Finland, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the drone attack near a train carrying European officials in Ukraine as an attempt to deter the West.
Kallas told reporters that the attack was intended to discourage Western countries from supporting and visiting Ukraine. She said Europe should respond not by retreating but by demonstrating that it stands with Ukraine.
Kallas urges Europe not to back down
Kallas argued that Europe backing down would serve Russia’s aim of forcing Ukraine to surrender, adding that Moscow’s ultimate objective went beyond that. She said Europe must therefore maintain its firm stance.
A special charter train traveling from Kyiv to Poland was evacuated after a drone attack near the train. Officials from European countries and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were among those on board.
EU to present Arctic strategy in October
Assessing the security agenda in northern Europe, Kallas highlighted Russia’s reopening of former Soviet military bases and its missile exercises in the Arctic. She said China’s growing interest in the region had also heightened security concerns.
Kallas said the EU was preparing a new Arctic strategy focused on security and that the document was expected to be presented in October. She also said the EU should maintain a common position on the security of the Arctic region and other issues affecting the area.