---
title: "Costa: The EU Will Continue to Pressure Russia and Support Ukraine — Strategy Remains Unchanged"
description: "António Costa confirmed: The EU will not change its course of supporting Ukraine and will continue to pressure Russia over the next six months. Ireland has begun its presidency of the Council of the EU, adopting a dual strategy — aiding Kyiv and pressuring Moscow. ⚖️🇪🇺🇺🇦"
date: 2026-07-01T15:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/costa-eu-will-continue-to-pressure-russia-and-support-ukraine-strategy-remains-unchanged
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Costa: The EU Will Continue to Pressure Russia and Support Ukraine — Strategy Remains Unchanged

![EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn speaks at a podium with the EU flag in the background, emphasizing the unchanged strategy of pressuring Russia and supporting Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/01/eu-ne-smenit-kurs-podderzhki-ukrainy-i-budet-davit-na-rossiyu/eu-ne-smenit-kurs-podderzhki-ukrainy-i-budet-davit-na-rossiyu-1.webp)

The European Union has no intention of changing its course of supporting Ukraine and will maintain pressure on Russia over the next six months. This was stated by the President of the European Council, António Costa, during the handover ceremony to Ireland, which from this moment begins its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.

### Dual Strategy: Supporting Kyiv and Pressuring Moscow

According to Costa, during the Irish presidency, partners will continue to implement a dual strategy: providing support to Kyiv while simultaneously exerting pressure on the aggressor state. The head of the European Council emphasized that such an approach is necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

European values and security, in Costa's view, are undergoing a serious test amid the complex geopolitical situation. However, he noted, the Union is clearly guided by the norms of international law. Ireland, known for its principled defense of the international order, was chosen as the presiding country precisely at this difficult time.

### The Situation on the Front and the Role of European Aid

Costa noted that the situation on the front is changing thanks to the courage of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, he added, European assistance and constant pressure on Moscow have already played a decisive role in this process.

"Russia must understand that time is not on its side. And that it must move from the battlefield to the negotiating table," emphasized the head of the European Council during his speech in Dublin.

### Rotation of the Presidency and Diplomatic Contacts

The rotation of countries presiding over the Council of the European Union takes place every six months. Ireland has officially taken over the powers and begun its work in this position.

Earlier, media reports emerged stating that António Costa had communicated with a high-ranking Russian official from the inner circle of the Russian leader. According to the media, these contacts were an attempt to engage the Kremlin in the negotiation process to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Subsequently, a number of European leaders criticized the President of the European Council for not informing some partners about his contacts with representatives of the Kremlin.