European governments are finding it increasingly difficult to explain to their citizens the need to continue support for Ukraine due to public fatigue from the prolonged war. At the same time, the European Union sees no alternative to further increasing pressure on Russia and aiding Kyiv.
This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on October 29 during a public discussion at the University of Montreal with the participation of Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.
According to Kallas, Europe and Canada continue to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine, but sustaining these efforts has become more difficult due to differences with the United States.
The head of European diplomacy noted that Western allies were previously able to counter international crises more effectively when the US, Europe and Canada acted in unison. Current differences, in her opinion, create additional challenges for supporting Ukraine.
Kallas also drew attention to the mood of European society. She acknowledged that the duration of the war complicates explaining to citizens the need for further expenditure and efforts in support of Kyiv.
"We must remain resilient and do more. But it is becoming harder to explain this to our public, as everyone is tired of this war", - Kallas said.
At the same time, the diplomat emphasized that Ukrainians themselves, who suffer daily from its consequences, want the war to end the most. However, according to her assessment, Moscow shows no readiness to cease hostilities and continues to put forward maximalist demands.
Kallas believes that the Russian leadership is counting on the weakening of Western support for Ukraine over time. That is why she called on allies to maintain unity and not to abandon aid.
Separately, the discussion addressed the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's needs. Kallas reminded that EU member states have agreed not to unfreeze these assets until Russia pays reparations.
Meanwhile, the mechanism for directing funds to Ukraine still requires additional decisions. According to the diplomat, European countries must agree on the distribution of potential financial and legal risks among participants in such a mechanism.
Kallas stressed that Russia itself must compensate for the damage inflicted on Ukraine. She also called for continued sanctions pressure on the Russian economy, in particular the fight against the shadow tanker fleet used to generate oil revenues.
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand during the same discussion confirmed Ottawa's intention to continue support for Ukraine. According to her, Canada is working on a long-term partnership with Kyiv, which would include defense cooperation, drone production, and security guarantees.
Thus, despite growing public fatigue from the war and differences with the US, European diplomacy insists on continuing assistance to Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
