Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Thursday urged NATO allies to up the pressure on Russia, as Kiev’s Western partners are looking to respond to the increasing threat posed by Moscow.
“Russia remains an existential threat to Europe,” Sybiha said ahead of consultations at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.
While Ukraine had agreed to a US proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin “talks about demands and conditions,” he said, speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“Russia must get serious about peace,” he added. “For this, it is time to increase pressure on Moscow.”
Russia said it has agreed to a US-brokered limited ceasefire to halt mutual attacks on energy facilities, but both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement. So far, Moscow has opposed an unconditional ceasefire.
On Monday, Putin called up 160,000 young men for military service.
In light of Russia’s military build-up, Sybiha said the question wasn’t whether it was planning to also attack the rest of Europe: “The question is only, will we be prepared or not?”
“This is a historic and defining moment for the future of Ukraine and Europe,” he said.
