Kallas convenes emergency EU Foreign Ministers' meeting ahead of Trump–Putin summit
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (Photo: Getty Images)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is already convening a meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union countries for tomorrow in connection with the Russia–US summit, according to Reuters.
In a comment to the agency, Kallas stated that any agreement between Washington and Moscow on ending the war in Ukraine must include Kyiv and Brussels.
"The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security," she says.
The EU diplomacy chief also added that on Monday, she will convene a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU countries to discuss further steps.
She noted that "as we work towards a sustainable and just peace, international law is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine."
"A deal must not provide a springboard for further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance and Europe," Kallas added.
In addition, the EU diplomacy chief reported that the ministers will discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Background
US President Donald Trump announced on August 15 a meeting with the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, which will take place in the U.S. state of Alaska.
One of the topics of the negotiations will be the war in Ukraine. It is worth noting that on the eve of announcing the meeting, Trump told journalists that between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, there could be an “exchange of territories.”
Already on the morning of August 9, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not give up its territories to the Russian occupiers, adding that the answer to the territorial question is in the Constitution.
Yesterday in Britain, a meeting took place between representatives of the US, Europe, and Ukraine to coordinate common positions before the Trump–Putin summit.
At night, a joint statement appeared from the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU leaders, in which it was said that negotiations can only take place if there is a ceasefire or a reduction in the intensity of hostilities.
Read more about the statement of EU leaders in the RBC-Ukraine material.
