BRUSSELS — Russia is increasingly using chemical weapons in Ukraine in an effort to subdue the country by causing as much pain and suffering as possible, Europe’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after a gathering of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, the Estonian politician cited German and Dutch intelligence reports showing that Moscow has used chemical weapons at least 9,000 times since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — and was now ramping up their use.

“As the intelligence services are saying this is intensifying, I think it’s [Russia’s use of chemical weapons] of great, great concern,” Kallas said. “It shows that Russia wants to cause as much pain and suffering so that Ukraine would surrender. And, you know, it’s really … unbearable.”

Most countries around the world, including Russia, have signed a 1993 international convention banning the use, production, development or stockpiling of chemical weapons. Russia is one of 65 countries to have not only signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, but also ratified it.

Kallas’ comments add to a growing sense of alarm in EU capitals that Russia is escalating its campaign to subdue Ukraine, unleashing larger and larger nightly attacks by missiles.

The worsening onslaught, which coincides with an ongoing summer offensive by Russia, prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to announce Monday that he would support a bill penalizing Moscow via powerful tariffs on Russian exports.

However, the fact that Trump has said he would only approve the secondary sanctions against Russia after 50 days if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t stop his assault of his own accord has led to disappointment in Europe and Ukraine.

Trump’s announcement that he will allow NATO to buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine is also sitting awkwardly with European officials. Asked about the move, Kallas said she welcomed the possibility of delivering more weapons to Ukraine, but added that Europe would “like to see the U.S. share the burden.”

Trump, however, has said the U.S. would not keep financing Ukraine’s defense. “We’re not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they’re going to be paying for it,” Trump said, referencing “very rich” European allies.

Kallas said: “If we pay for these weapons, it’s our support, it’s European support.”