Sybiha, Kallas Discuss Black Sea Security, Agree on More Pressure Against Russia

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a phone call with EU Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas on Friday, briefing her on the consequences of Russia’s latest attacks on Ukrainian cities and on civilian vessels in the Black Sea.

Sybiha announced their discussion on X, describing it as “substantive” and centered on safeguarding the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, which he said remains “critical for global food security.”

The two also discussed the activation of the EU Solidarity Lanes and the need for continued support to secure maritime routes despite what Sybiha called “Russia’s ongoing terror.”

“We also discussed the results of my recent phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,” Sybiha said, thanking Kallas “for her personal contribution to this important diplomatic contact and de-escalation.”

Kallas credits Sybiha’s Iran outreach

Seeking to avoid further escalation following Ukraine’s strike last week on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, which killed one and wounded several sailors, Sybiha spoke with Araghchi on Tuesday.

Their call came around the same time President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss Patriot licensing arrangements and ways to accelerate stalled diplomacy with Russia.

Sybiha told Araghchi that all of Ukraine’s actions remained aimed solely at defending the country from Russia, with no intention to target civilians or civilian vessels. The exchange came a day after Iran warned of “unforeseen consequences” following the strike, which Zelensky confirmed on July 25, had been carried out as part of long-range Ukrainian operations.

During the same day, Kallas spoke with Araghchi, reiterating her call on Iran to “end its military support for Russia.”

Iran said on Wednesday that Tehran reportedly considered launching a symbolic ballistic missile strike on a Ukrainian seaport, but backed down following diplomatic pressure.

Tehran later said that it did not seek escalation, though they demanded compensation for the attack.

Kyiv-Tehran relations have remained strained since Iran began supplying Shahed drones to Russia in 2022, making it one of Russia’s key allies in the conflict. Ukraine, for its part, said it has provided counter-drone support to Gulf states targeted by Iranian attacks.

Patriots remain a central priority

Their most recent diplomacy comes as Zelensky held a “positive and productive” call with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, regarding the Patriot interceptors, just hours after Trump appeared to soften his earlier commitment, in which he had pledged to grant Ukraine permission to produce Patriots domestically.