Europe skeptical about possible Zelenskyy–Putin meeting
Photo: Kaja Kallas (GettyImages)
The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, does not share the optimism about the possibility of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks.
Read also: Witkoff speaks on Zelenskyy–Putin meeting and gives potential deadline
Kallas' position on negotiations
According to her, negotiators on the Russian side are not serious enough and are not ready to discuss political issues.
"I don't share this optimism because uh the uh negotiators on the Russian side are not really serious and they are not willing to talk about anything uh political. So, of course, we have seen a lot of pressure on Ukraine to concede and give up, but they are not willing to give up. Um, but it doesn't bring long-term peace. So, so I'm not that optimistic that we will see any results in the coming uh weeks and months," she says.
On pressure in peace talks
She stresses that pressure in the peace talks should be exerted not only on Ukraine but also on Russia.
"Pressure so far has been um on Ukraine when it comes to the peace talks, but it's clear that it has to be on the Russian side because they are the aggressor in this war. And if we want these wars to stop, if we want this not to go any further, then we also need to see concessions from the Russian side," Kallas says.
Who should lead negotiations
When asked who would have the mandate to negotiate with Russia on behalf of the EU, she replies that the content of the talks was more important than the specific person.
According to Kallas, whoever negotiates with Russia should raise the question of what Russia is willing to concede.
"If you ask a lot, you get little. If you ask little, you get nothing. And if you ask nothing, you will pay on top," she adds.
Kallas also states that it is Russia that should be forced to limit the size of its army, not Ukraine, since it is Russian forces that are the problem.
Peace talks
A few days ago, peace talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine took place in Geneva. According to the parties, some progress has been made on the military side, particularly with regard to monitoring the ceasefire, while the political block of negotiations remains difficult.
The parties plan to hold another meeting in Geneva in the near future.
At the same time, one of the most difficult issues in the peace process remains the territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The Kremlin insists on the transfer of Donbas, including the unoccupied territories, but Kyiv categorically rejects such demands.
Recently, Moscow also announced its desire to obtain international recognition of Donbas as Russian.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss the territorial issue with Putin and has instructed negotiators to raise the issue of a personal meeting with Putin.
