European foreign ministers will discuss the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia on Monday and may reach a political agreement on future sanctions related to such activities, two diplomats said on Friday, Reuters reported.

The armed forces of Ukraine shot down an Iranian-made kamikaze drone in OdessaPhoto: Handout / AFP / Profimedia

Ukraine has reported a series of Russian attacks using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying drones to Russia, and the Kremlin does not comment on this information.

Three drones operated by Russian forces attacked the small town of Makariv west of the Ukrainian capital early Thursday, with officials saying critical infrastructure had been hit by what they said were Iranian-made “kamikaze drones.”

The bloc had already decided on Monday to impose travel bans and asset freezes on about 15 Iranians involved in the crackdown on demonstrations that began last month after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.

France and Germany have made it clear that they believe new sanctions against the drones used by Russia are necessary, and that the transfer of the drones should be seen as a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231 approved the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six nations – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – that limited Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities.

An EU spokesman said foreign ministers would discuss Iran on Monday, but declined to comment on whether Iranian drones or drone transfer sanctions would be on the agenda.

“It will be considered, but there will be no sanctions now,” said one of the diplomats.