HR/VP Kaja Kallas: Every day, Russia breaches the core principles of UN Charter

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Russia is showing absolute contempt for any attempt of diplomacy. Prospects of peace recede with every Russian airstrike. Moscow's repeated violations of the European Union´s airspace are reckless, dangerous and risk situations that can get out of hand, and we need to stand firm.

In response to Moscow's escalation, the EU presented a new sanctions package last week. This is hitting Russian banks, energy companies, crypto exchanges and Chinese companies enabling the war. Any source of income for the Kremlin to fund its war is a necessary target. 

In parallel, we are also increasing our support to Ukraine. Europe's military aid to Ukraine is at record high in 2025, with €25 billion so far, and we are also exploring ways to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. 

The impact of Russia's war stretches beyond Europe. Every day Russia breaches the core principles of UN Charter. Together with our colleagues, today we were also discussing that multilateral order is really something that we all need to defend, and the UN Charter is at its core. 

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, it is clear that the global order is under heavy fire. This is an argument for a better and more efficient United Nations. Our message today to our partners was simple. The European Union is a reliable actor. We support multilateralism. We support free trade and world grounded in the UN Charter. 

Together, we are stronger to uphold these values. And with that, I'm happy to take questions. 

Q&A

Q. You say that you have to have a firm response to Russia, especially after these latest incursions. Does that mean that NATO should be shooting down Russian planes? 

It is clear that Russia is testing us, how far it can go. It is also trying to sow fear without within our societies. That if we are supporting Ukraine, then this war comes to other territories and is expanding, and that is why we have to be very firm on this. Now, as the Polish Prime Minister today said, if the planes are violating airspace, every country has the right to defend itself and act accordingly. And this is, I think, important to understand that everybody has an obligation in front of their own citizens that these kinds of incursions, are not happening. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-277455