Kaja Kallas: Europe should not make concessions to Russia before peace talks

Photo: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

The EU sees no reason to make concessions to Russia before formal peace talks begin, Kaja Kallas, the new European diplomat, has said. In an interview with AFP, she stressed that any concessions to Moscow now would mean a reward for its aggression against Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent reports.

“Why should we give Russia what it wants, apart from what it has already done – attacked Ukraine, annexed territories? This is illogical,” Kallas said.

She compared the current calls for compromise with Russia to a hypothetical situation where, after the 9/11 attacks, the US would sit down with Osama bin Laden and ask: “What more do you want?”

Criticism of NATO’s abandonment of Ukraine

Kaja Kallas also condemned the claims that Ukraine has no future in NATO. She reminded that Russia has been opposing Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance for years, and Trump is repeating these Kremlin narratives.

This is an absolute lie,” Kallas said, adding that her native Estonia joined NATO precisely because it was “afraid of Russia”.

According to her, the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine is NATO membership. She also stressed that Europe will not be able to help Kyiv in peace talks unless the United States involves it in the process.

EU concerns about Trump’s policies

Callas’ statements came amid growing concerns in Europe about the new Donald Trump administration. The EU is concerned that the White House may strike a deal with Vladimir Putin that is unfavourable to Ukraine, which would jeopardise the security of the entire continent.

“Europe must remain united in its support for Ukraine and resist Russia’s aggression,” the EU diplomat concluded.