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Russia started this war — Russia is the problem. Therefore, pressure must be exerted on Russia to force it to make concessions. This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in an exclusive comment to FREEДОМ’s special correspondent in Europe, Vitalii Syzov, UATV English reports.
“I proposed to the member states a list of concessions. Because we see that all the pressure in the negotiations is being placed on Ukraine. Although Russia started this war, Russia is the problem. So we need to put pressure on Russia to make concessions,” Kallas said.
She stressed that not only peace in Ukraine must be sustainable and long-term, but also peace in Europe.
“Russia has very clearly outlined its maximalist demands. So how do we proceed? We are negotiating with member states and will see what comes of it,” the head of European diplomacy noted.
When asked whether she was ready to sit at the same table with Sergey Lavrov or Vladimir Putin, Kallas replied:
“It is important to understand what we want to ask the Russians.”
“I have sat at the same table with Lavrov at various international forums. But returning to this question, I think it is important to discuss what exactly we want to ask the Russians. There are clear commitments or positions. Let us clearly understand that only the European Union can conduct negotiations. It is not about us becoming hostages in a negotiation process between Russia and the United States. That is absolutely clear. But it is also a matter of timing. We cannot be the ones demanding to be negotiated with. If the Russians are waiting for Americans to fulfill agreements reached in negotiations in Alaska — meaning absolutely maximalist demands — then why would they talk to us?” she said.
Kallas emphasized that more pressure must not be placed on Ukraine to force it to surrender. At the same time, the EU has its own demands toward Russia and must secure concessions from the aggressor.
“For us, it is important that if Russia is interested in sanctions relief or other steps, then obviously we also have demands toward Russia, and we are not going to give these things away for free. To balance these negotiations, concessions must come from the Russian side. We have made it very clear that we are increasing pressure so they move from pretending to negotiate to engaging in real negotiations,” the EU High Representative concluded.
As previously reported, on February 23, EU foreign ministers discussed the 20th sanctions package against Russia and long-term assistance for Ukraine.
