She grew up under Soviet rule. Now EU's top diplomat warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who grew up under Soviet rule, warns that Russia is trying to intimidate Europe into abandoning Ukraine, and that sabotage and hybrid warfare will escalate if the strategy succeeds. The EU has been imposing sanctions on Russian oligarchs, but France recently blocked sanctions on oligarch Usmanov, leading to the EU lifting sanctions on him and another billionaire, Fridman. This move has sparked backlash from Ukraine and other EU countries.
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- ✓ Kaja Kallas, EU's top diplomat, grew up under Soviet rule.
- ✓ Russia is trying to intimidate Europe into abandoning Ukraine.
- ✓ The EU has imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
- ✓ France blocked EU sanctions on oligarch Usmanov.
What changed
The EU's decision to lift sanctions on Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman has sparked anger in Ukraine and criticism from some EU countries, highlighting divisions within the bloc on how to deal with Russia.
Live updates
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EU's top diplomat warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who grew up under Soviet rule, warns that Russia is trying to intimidate Europe into abandoning Ukraine, and that sabotage and hybrid warfare will escalate if the strategy succeeds. The EU has been imposing sanctions on Russian oligarchs, but France recently blocked sanctions on oligarch Usmanov, leading to the EU lifting sanctions on him and another billionaire, Fridman. This move has sparked backlash from Ukraine and other EU countries.
Why it matters
Kallas's warning comes amid concerns that Russia is testing NATO with hybrid attacks and sabotage. The EU has been struggling to maintain unity on its Russia policy, with some member states pushing for a tougher stance and others seeking to avoid escalation. The issue is critical because it affects not only Ukraine's fate but also the EU's own security and credibility.
What is confirmed
- Kaja Kallas, EU's top diplomat, grew up under Soviet rule.
- Russia is trying to intimidate Europe into abandoning Ukraine.
- The EU has imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
- France blocked EU sanctions on oligarch Usmanov.
- The EU lifted sanctions on Usmanov and billionaire Fridman.
- Ukraine expressed anger over the EU's decision to remove Russian oligarchs from the sanctions list.
Still unconfirmed
- Russia's sabotage and scare campaigns across Europe are designed to break support for Ukraine.
What to watch next
- The EU's future sanctions policy on Russian oligarchs
- Russia's response to the EU's stance on Ukraine
- The impact of the EU's divisions on its relations with Ukraine and NATO
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (14)
- The Washington Post — France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov
- Reuters — EU renews Russia sanctions, drops Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
- The Guardian — EU removes oligarchs from Russia sanctions list as deadline looms
- BBC — Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
- Reuters — EU faces backlash after lifting sanctions on Russian billionaires
- economist.com — France forces the EU to lift sanctions on a Russian oligarch
- USA Today — US, Europe worry Russia is testing NATO with hybrid attacks and sabotage
- Bloomberg.com — Russia Tycoons Examine How Billionaires Shook Off EU Sanctions
- Fox News — She grew up under Soviet rule. Now EU's top diplomat warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants
- www.foxnews.com — She grew up under Soviet rule. Now EU's top diplomat warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants
- politicalbytes.net — EU Top Diplomat Kallas Warns Europe Against Yielding to ...
- article.wn.com — She grew up under Soviet rule. Now EU's top diplomat warns ...
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