Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to partially mobilize troops, along with a push for votes to annex occupied territories, showed his "desperation" at Moscow's military failings in Ukraine, an EU spokesperson said Wednesday, according to AFP.

"This is just another proof of Putin that he is not interested in peace, that he's interested in escalating his war of aggression," said EU spokesperson Peter Stano.

"This is also yet another sign of his desperation with how his aggression is going against Ukraine."