Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that this week could be crucial for the push to end the Russia-Ukraine war, as the US envoys head to Russia after discussions with Kyiv’s negotiators.
EU defence and foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels for talks on foreign and defence issues, and US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Russia ahead of scheduled discussions with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Why does Kaja Kallas believe this week is pivotal?
“It could be a pivotal week for diplomacy. We heard yesterday that the talks in America were difficult but productive. We don’t know the results yet, but I will talk to the defence minister of Ukraine as well as the foreign minister of Ukraine today,”
Kallas expressed at a gathering of EU ministers, Reuters reported.
She sidestepped a query on whether she counted on the United States to negotiate a good agreement. Instead, she said it would be better if Europe were a part of diplomatic measures involving Ukraine.
“The Ukrainians are there alone. If they would be together with Europeans, they would definitely be much stronger. But I trust that the Ukrainians stand up for themselves,”
she said.
In the meantime, Kallas said that Europe needs to concentrate on making
“Ukraine as strong as possible in order (for) them to be ready to stand up for themselves in this very, very difficult time”.
Moreover, Kallas said the European Union was determined to achieve a “result for the financing of Ukraine” at a December 18 leaders summit, saying “we are not going to leave” without an agreement.
However, in response to reports that the US is considering a new peace plan, Kaja Kallas stated last month that any proposal to put an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine must directly involve both Ukrainians and Europeans.
What concerns does Kallas raise over the proposed US peace plan?
“We as Europeans have always supported a long-lasting, sustainable and just peace, and we welcome any efforts aimed at achieving that,”
she said.
“Of course, for any plan to work, it must involve Ukraine and Europe. Ukrainians and Europeans must also agree to these plans.” Kallas emphasized that the fundamental dynamic of the fighting cannot be ignored: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the nation under attack.
“So far we have not heard of any concessions from Russia. If Russia truly wanted peace, it could have agreed to an unconditional cease-fire some time ago—instead, we continue to see strikes on civilians,”
she said.
