EU wants ceasefire in Ukraine but will continue to arm it

BRUSSELS - The European Union wishes discussions on a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine to continue, Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, said on Monday, according to Interfax.

"The outcome of these peace talks must be to strengthen Ukraine.... It is important to make sure that we have a ceasefire, that we have a just, long-lasting and comprehensive peace," Hipper said at a press briefing in Brussels.

"We cannot be naive," Hipper said. "This is why we have committed to increase our defense support, our capabilities in this regard," Hipper said, referring to a recent informal meeting between defense ministers from a number of EU countries.

On the wake of that meeting, Kallas said that the EU member states "made pledges to further support Ukraine," Hipper said.

Asked about Kallas' plan for stepping up supplies of air defense capabilities to Ukraine, Hipper said the matter was being discussed, while the EU's priority at the moment was to supply Kiev with two million artillery rounds that it sought to receive.