European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged EU member states to transfer interceptor missiles to Ukraine before their shelf life expires, saying the weapons could help strengthen the country’s air defenses amid intensified Russian attacks.

Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, Kallas said Ukraine urgently needed additional air defense capabilities to protect its civilian population.

“July and August have been the deadliest months for the civilians in Ukraine,” Kallas said, warning that Russia was escalating its attacks in an effort to inflict maximum damage and undermine Ukrainian resilience.

She said Ukraine was continuing to stand firm but stressed that European countries needed to provide further support, particularly in the field of air defense.

“The main issue is air defence,” Kallas said.

According to the EU foreign policy chief, some European countries possess interceptor missiles that are approaching the end of their operational shelf life. She called on those countries to transfer the missiles to Ukraine so they could be used to defend Ukrainian cities and civilians.

“We know that some of the countries have interceptors that will expire soon. So, it would be very good if those would be given to Ukraine so that they can use them to protect their people,” Kallas said.

Kallas also said the EU was approaching countries outside the bloc in an effort to secure additional interceptor missiles for Ukraine.

However, she acknowledged that obtaining such weapons from non-EU countries remained difficult.

At the same time, European countries are continuing efforts to develop and produce interceptor missiles jointly with Ukraine, according to Kallas. She said work was underway to bring together European capabilities and Ukraine’s defense industry in order to strengthen the supply of air defense systems.

Her remarks came as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, with Ukrainian authorities repeatedly warning of the strain placed on the country’s air defense systems by large-scale missile and drone attacks.

The EU has also continued to increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions. Earlier in August, EU member states agreed on additional personal sanctions targeting five representatives of Russia’s military-industrial complex, amid the continuing conflict. (ILKHA)