“Ministers spoke with one voice in approving new sanctions against Moscow,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during a press conference in Luxembourg following today’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Kallas drew attention to the ongoing Russian bombardment of Ukraine and Moscow’s clear intention not to end the war. She also said that new sanctions had been approved unanimously and emphasized the importance of not inviting Russian artists to Europe—as in the case of the Venice Biennale—in order to continue isolating the country on the international stage. According to Kallas, international pressure must also translate into cultural and sporting isolation: “While Russia bombs cathedrals, Europe should not roll out the red carpet for Russian artists and athletes who support the Kremlin’s war. Culture and sports must not be used to whitewash aggression.” The head of European diplomacy then celebrated the formal launch of accession negotiations for Kyiv and Chisinau: “The future of Ukraine and Moldova lies in the European Union; their accession will make Europe stronger.”
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