EU ambassador after drone attacks on Russia: "Moscow needs to understand that it is time to end war"

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová has said that intensified Ukrainian strikes on military targets inside Russia should force Moscow to reconsider its calculations regarding the war.

Mathernová noted that in recent months Ukraine has significantly intensified attacks on military targets deep inside Russian territory in line with its technological capabilities.

"On the night of 16 to 17 May, Ukraine carried out one of the largest drone attacks on Moscow, in the hopes of changing Putin's calculus. Russian authorities reported hundreds of drones over the Moscow region, damage to strategic buildings and chaos at airports," Mathernová wrote on Facebook.

Mathernová stressed that Russia is incapable of defeating Ukraine on the battlefield and is running out of soldiers, motivation and endurance. She said this is why Russia is intensifying attacks on civilians.

Last night alone, Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles, eight cruise missiles and 524 drones against Ukraine.

"Russia is losing momentum. Ukraine is starting to push back hard. Moscow needs to finally understand that it is time to end this war. But not on terms dictated by the Kremlin. On terms both sides can accept. Do you understand this yet, Russia?" she added.

Estonia's spy chief believes that Putin has few favourable options left in Ukraine because Russian forces are unable to make significant progress on the battlefield, while Western sanctions are gradually exhausting Russia's resources.

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has also said that Russia is currently not in a sufficiently strong position in the war against Ukraine and should therefore be pushed towards the negotiating table.