EUROPEAN LEADERS RALLY IN ROME AS UKRAINE PUSHES FOR SANCTIONS CRACKDOWN ON RUSSIA

European Union foreign ministers gathered in Rome on Wednesday, June 12, for a high-level security dialogue against the backdrop of renewed Russian aggression in Ukraine and deepening concerns over Europe’s defense posture. The meeting, which featured NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, centered on coordination of sanctions, defense spending, and military support for Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking via video link from the GLOBSEC security forum in Prague, made an impassioned plea for the bloc to “close all the loopholes” that allow Russia to profit from oil sales and evade economic restrictions. “This is not just about Ukraine anymore. This is about Europe’s ability to stand up to tyranny,” he told the assembly.
The call for stronger sanctions came just hours after a deadly wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. In Donetsk and Kherson regions, three civilians were killed and multiple others injured, Ukrainian emergency services reported. These attacks underscored the urgency of military and diplomatic measures as Ukraine braces for intensified offensives in its eastern and southern territories.
Meanwhile, discussions in Rome extended beyond Ukraine. With NATO’s annual summit scheduled for later this month in The Hague, ministers reviewed broader defense readiness strategies, including troop deployments in Eastern Europe and the scaling up of joint military procurement. Sources say Italy and France pushed for faster harmonization of defense manufacturing standards to ensure better interoperability.
Despite clear differences on timelines and military commitments, the Rome meeting concluded with a joint statement reaffirming Europe’s “unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty” and a promise to deepen strategic cooperation heading into the NATO summit.