Kallas outlines EU's list of demands for Russia for peace talks on the war in Ukraine for the first time
Kyiv • UNN
Kaja Kallas named an unconditional ceasefire and compensation for damages as the EU's primary demands. Russia must also withdraw its troops from Georgia and Moldova.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has for the first time publicly outlined the EU's list of key demands for Russia in the event of potential future peace negotiations regarding Ukraine. She made this statement at a press conference following an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Cyprus on Thursday, reports a correspondent for UNN.
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According to Kallas, Europe cannot be a "neutral mediator" between Ukraine and Russia, as it supports Kyiv and protects its own security interests.
"Europe will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine, because we are on Ukraine's side and we are protecting our own key security interests," she stated.
Among the EU's primary demands for Moscow, Kallas named an unconditional ceasefire as a prerequisite for any negotiations.
"An unconditional ceasefire is a prerequisite for any peace negotiations," emphasized the head of European diplomacy.
Additionally, according to her, Russia must cease sabotage, cyberattacks, election interference, and violations of European airspace.
Separately, Kallas stated that the EU will not recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian.
"There can be no legal recognition of the occupied Ukrainian territories," she said.
Among other EU demands:
- Russia must cooperate with international investigations;
- Moscow must compensate for the destruction caused to Ukraine;
- Any peace agreement must fully recognize Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and its right to choose its own alliances;
- Restrictions cannot be imposed on Ukraine without similar restrictions being imposed on Russia.
Kallas also emphasized that the EU considers the presence of Russian troops in Georgia and Moldova to be a problem.
"It is clearly in Europe's interest that these troops are no longer stationed there," she stated.
Furthermore, the EU diplomacy chief announced the preparation of new sanctions against Russia.
"We are preparing new sanctions against Russia to force it to move from the imitation of negotiations to a real dialogue," Kallas said.