Kallas after Ireland ministerial meeting: Russian hybrid attacks will not intimidate the EU

Kaja Kallas delivered a firm message after an EU defence ministers’ meeting near Dublin: Europe will not be frightened into abandoning Ukraine. "Russia is targeting Europe with a wave of hybrid attacks that have an increasing direct impact. Russia is trying to deter us from helping Ukraine, but it will not succeed," she said.

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Russia is targeting Europe with a wave of hybrid attacks that have an increasing direct impact. Russia is trying to deter us from helping Ukraine, but it will not succeed.

The EU’s determination is being tested by the difficulty of finding new ballistic-missile interceptors, particularly US-made Patriot missiles that Ukraine has repeatedly requested after recent deadly Russian attacks. Kallas said ministers had made no concrete decision on Patriots, but that calls and discussions would continue.

Before the meeting in County Wicklow, Kallas said Russia was intensifying its attacks to inflict as much damage as possible on the Ukrainian people and break them. At least 12 people were killed in Kyiv and the surrounding region that day during Russian attacks overnight. Russian authorities said on Monday that they were preparing for "mass attacks" on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

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As for Patriot missiles, today we made no concrete decisions, but there were calls and discussions about these missiles and they will continue.

European concern about hybrid operations has also grown. In early August, an explosive-carrying drone was found in the secure cargo-handling area of Leipzig airport, near several Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The German airport is considered an important transit point for military aid deliveries to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

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mass attacks