On Monday, 27 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha took part in an online meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, where he expressed gratitude to European partners for their comprehensive support for Ukraine.

Andrii Sybiha called on European allies to join forces with the new US administration to increase sanctions pressure on the aggressor: to extend existing sanctions regimes and approve new restrictions on additional sectors of the Russian economy and counterparties. 

‘The existing sanctions against Russia should be extended and strengthened. This is also in line with the approach of the new US administration. The next, 16th EU sanctions package should be as strong as possible. The banking sector, the shadow fleet, metallurgy, energy, IT and other sectors. Much more can be done to strengthen sanctions,' the Minister stressed.

The Minister also informed the European partners about the latest brutal executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian occupants. He stressed that these Russian crimes have become systemic.

‘These atrocities show the true nature of the Russian regime. I urge you to use all available tools to stop them and demonstrate to Russia that there will be accountability for every heinous crime,' said Andrii Sybiha.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs once again called on European partners to adhere to the principle of ‘peace through strength’ to counter Russian aggression. One of its key components, Andrii Sybiha said, is further increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, isolation and daily increase in the cost of war for the aggressor. 

‘Another important element is strengthening Ukraine in the military, economic and political fields, providing clear and long-term security guarantees on the way to EU and NATO membership,’ he stressed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the determination of the new US President Donald Trump in his desire to end Russian aggression against Ukraine and called on European allies to work together to restore a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. He underlined the importance of preserving the principles of ‘Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine’ and ‘Nothing about Europe without Europe’ to achieve this goal.

Andrii Sybiha expressed his deep gratitude to the European partners for all the support provided to our country, calling it ‘a historic example of solidarity and unity’. He also called on European allies to continue and scale up investments in Ukraine's defence industry.

‘By investing in Ukrainian arms production today, you are investing in the security of Ukraine and the security of the whole of Europe,’ the Minister said.

Andrii Sybiha also informed his colleagues about the development of the Ukrainian initiative ‘Grain from Ukraine’, in particular the launch of the ‘Food from Ukraine’ programme, which is aimed at providing humanitarian supplies to the Syrian people not only with grain but also with other foodstuffs. The Minister called on European partners to join the implementation of this initiative to provide humanitarian support to Syrians.