Kallas warns Ukraine debate echoes 1938, could empower Putin
Kaja Kallas spoke about the danger of Russia’s demands for territorial concessions from Ukraine (Photo: Getty Images)
EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that casual talks and discussions about possible territorial concessions by Ukraine are a path into a trap set by Russia, according to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
According to Kallas, the classic Russian negotiation tactic works in three steps:
- First, Moscow demands something that never belonged to it.
- Then come ultimatums and threats of force.
- Finally, in the West, voices are mobilized that are willing to offer Russia precisely what it has never had before.
In the end, the Russians get more than they ever dared to dream of.
"This discussion about possible territorial concessions is a trap, and we must not fall into it. The Russians want us to discuss what Ukraine should give up for the sake of peace, completely ignoring the fact that the Kremlin itself has not made any concessions," she said.
Territories Moscow claims
Kallas emphasized that the Kremlin claims territories that are not even occupied by Russian troops and ultimately frames this as a compromise, merely keeping the territories it has already conquered.
"But it is not really a compromise if you previously made completely excessive demands. So I say again: we must not fall into Putin’s trap. Our goal must be to ensure that this war does not pay off for Putin," the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland quotes her as saying.
Regarding the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, the EU diplomat stressed that there is growing evidence that the breach was intentional, not accidental.
Kaja Kallas expressed confidence that support for Ukraine should now be increased and investments made in European defense.
"Ultimately, it is cheaper to stop Russia in Ukraine than to have Russian tanks at the gates of the EU. Today, we are facing a situation reminiscent of 1938: Czechoslovakia asked for help against Nazi Germany, did not receive it, and fell into the hands of the Nazis. The difference today is that if Ukraine falls, the security of all of Europe will be at risk. We must show that we have learned the lesson from history," she said.
The readiness of European countries to stand up to the Kremlin was also noted by the US President’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg.
He emphasized that, looking at Europe, one can say that the war is already raging at its borders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that territorial concessions to Putin in Ukraine would only allow him to use the captured territories as a springboard to attack Europe if it cannot become strong.
