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European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius believes that holding elections in Ukraine should be a sovereign decision of the Ukrainian authorities. At the same time, American statements about peace but without force indicate a change in their formula, which helps strengthen Putin.
Kubilius said this in an interview with Le Monde, Ukrinform reports.
“Now the Americans are changing the formula, talking about peace first, but without force, and this risks politically strengthening Putin. I hope they don’t make any serious mistakes, but I would be much more positive if they coordinated the strategy of peace by force with us, their European partners, or the G7,” Kubilius said, adding that US diplomats are moving forward without any consultations, which is causing great confusion and emotions in Ukraine.
“I am concerned because this situation can create a sense of abandonment among Ukrainians with very negative consequences. We have to be very careful about how our decisions and our words are perceived by Ukrainians who are fighting to protect themselves – and to protect us,” he explained.
The European Commissioner also spoke about the details of his conversation with Keith Kellogg, the US President’s Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia.
“We spoke very frankly. I told him that yes, we need peace in Ukraine, but peace through strength – everyone repeats this, including the Americans. But I would start with the second part of the formula: force. To achieve a just peace, Ukrainians need additional strength, and this strength can only come from our side, the American and European sides. So first strength, then peace,” Kubilius said.
According to the Lithuanian official, for Europeans, peace should be based on clear principles: the territorial integrity of Ukraine, non-recognition of the occupation, a strong Ukrainian army without any restrictions and the preservation of sanctions against Russia.
“We must take very seriously the reports of the intelligence services of several European countries that Russia may be ready to attack us by 2030,” he said.
Another important point, according to Kubilius, is that the Russians must pay for the damage caused.
“Negotiations are not between equals, but between the aggressor and the victim. Therefore, Russian assets should be frozen until an agreement on compensation is reached. Finally, elections cannot be part of the negotiations. They are a sovereign decision of the Ukrainian constitutional authorities, and if they are organized too early, it will play into Putin’s hands,” Kubilius emphasized.
As Ukrinform previously reported, European Commissioner for Economic and Productive Action, Implementation and Facilitation Valdis Dombrovskis said during a press conference following the EU Council of Ministers of Economy and Finance in Brussels that in order to deter Russian aggression, Europe must immediately strengthen its own security and defense, as well as increase assistance to Ukraine, as such assistance is currently the best investment in the well-being and sustainability of Europe itself.
