(MENAFN) Europe must escalate military assistance to Ukraine, with priority on reinforcing Kyiv's air defense systems, Germany's deputy defense minister declared Monday.

Addressing journalists in Brussels before the EU's Foreign Affairs Council convened, Sebastian Hartmann said the session will center on backing Ukraine and advancing European defense infrastructure.

"We see absolutely no willingness to negotiate from Russia. Attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure are intensifying, and a brutal offensive against Ukraine continues," Hartmann told reporters. "This means we must do everything we can to ensure Ukraine can further develop its air defenses and maintain ammunition availability," he said.

The German official underscored that Europeans maintain a unified stance regarding US President Donald Trump's recent diplomatic efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized that support for Kyiv requires immediate expansion to fortify Ukraine's negotiating leverage should talks materialize.

"No decision on Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine at the table. Only Ukraine can decide on its territorial sovereignty," Hartmann said. "The third and crucial point is that Ukraine's sovereignty requires a strong Ukrainian army capable of defending itself—because that is what makes Ukraine a sovereign state," he added.

The remarks come as Russia continues its intensified bombardment campaign targeting Ukrainian civilian populations and critical energy facilities, with no indication of de-escalation.

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