Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautions that even discussing potential territorial concessions by Ukraine means entering a Russian trap.
In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas underlined that the Kremlin wants the West to discuss what Kyiv should give up for peace while completely overlooking that Moscow itself has made no concessions so far.
Why does Kaja Kallas call concessions a Russian trap?
Kallas outlined what she characterised as Moscow’s classic three-step negotiation tactic:
“First, Moscow demands something that never belonged to it. Then follow ultimatums and threats of violence. Finally, voices in the West are mobilised that are ready to offer Russia exactly what it never had before.”
From the diplomat’s perspective, the Kremlin is now presenting it as a compromise, as long as it only retains the territories it has already seized.
“But that is not really a compromise if completely excessive demands were made beforehand. That’s why I say once again: We must not fall into Putin’s trap. Our goal must be that this war does not pay off for Putin. The reward for aggression would bring more war, not less,”
Kallas stressed.
How does Kallas view Washington’s role against Moscow?
Whilst acknowledging that the Trump administration has “profoundly changed” the way the US conducts foreign policy, Kallas stated that Washington remains the EU’s “most important partner” in countering Moscow’s threats. She expressed a desire to improve the relationship between Washington and Brussels, and noted recent progress.
What are the Russian demands on Ukraine?
In terms of demands, Russia requires Ukraine to withdraw from all of the eastern Donbas area, including Donetsk and Luhansk, officially recognise Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, and relinquish any occupation claims they also made to portions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine.
Moscow also demands that Ukraine purge any ambitions to join NATO, and take on a neutral status that formally prohibits any foreign military force from being stationed on Ukrainian territory.
