Photo: MFA of Ukraine

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha has welcomed the adoption of the EU's 15th package of sanctions against Russia and urged continued pressure on the aggressor state and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.

"Today at the Foreign Affairs Council I thanked Kaja Kallas and EU colleagues for their support for Ukraine. I emphasized the importance of the EU's 15th sanctions package and urged continued pressure on Moscow, raising the cost of war for the aggressor, and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities," he said in a message on the X social network on Monday.

According to the press service of the Foreign Ministry, the minister said that pressure on Russia should be intensified through sanctions against Russian metallurgy, energy and other critically important sectors.

"The lower are the prices of oil and energy earnings for Russia, the closer a just peace will be," he emphasized.

Sybiha also noted the importance of providing Ukraine with 20 additional air defense systems, particularly HAWK, NASAMS or IRIS-T, as well as a large number of MANPADS, artillery systems and ammunition, long-range missiles, electronic warfare, engineering equipment, drones and other equipment.

The minister called on partners to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry, emphasizing that it is the speediest and most effective way to improve Ukraine's defense capability.

Sybiha also mentioned the latest events in Syria, emphasizing that they have shown once again that Russia is not as strong as it seems.