America News Agency

European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas announced in a post on her social media account that discussions in Paris had focused on support for Ukraine, European defense and conflicts in the Middle East.

Kallas noted that a new diplomatic initiative aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine was underway, but said Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions painted a different picture. She alleged that Russia had carried out heavy attacks on Kyiv in recent days and sunk civilian vessels in the Black Sea.

Stating that prospects for achieving peace in Ukraine in the near future remained low, Kallas said their priorities were to help Ukraine resist attacks and increase the costs imposed on Russia.

Kallas stated that the European Union had adopted its most extensive sanctions listings against Russia since the beginning of the war this month and that work on further sanctions was continuing.