Putin's return to G20 summit risks 'normalizing' Russia's war crimes - Kallas
Photo: Kaja Kallas (flickr.com/photos.valstskanceleja)
The potential participation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the December G20 summit could "normalize" the atrocities committed by the Russian military in Ukraine. The international community must not allow such a scenario, states the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
According to Kallas, Russia's return to such international platforms means the direct legitimization of daily war crimes in Ukraine.
She emphasized that Moscow's aggression completely violates the principles of the UN Charter.
“Normalizing Russia coming back to these international fora is just normalizing war crimes being committed every day now," Kallas emphasized in an interview with Bloomberg TV.
At the same time, the official commented on the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta.
She noted that Western diplomats refused to take a group photo due to sanctions against the Kremlin, but called Lavrov's presence an opportunity to immediately refute Kremlin lies.
The head of European diplomacy welcomed the US decision to transfer 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine.
She also called on allies to further increase sanctions pressure on Russia.
Commenting on rumors about calls for the Pentagon to soften its criticism of the Kremlin, Kallas firmly rejected such an approach, noting that ignoring a threat will not make it disappear.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may attend the G20 summit, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined the condition for inviting Zelenskyy to the event.
For this to happen, the Ukrainian leader must receive a corresponding invitation from his American counterpart, Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are arranging new negotiations. A meeting between the US and Russian leaders could take place within the next few weeks.
