Russia must make concessions for peace with Ukraine - EU prepares demands
Photo: Head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
The European Union will propose a list of concessions it will demand from Russia as part of efforts to settle the war in Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Read also: Belarusian opposition leader pushes to include Belarus in Ukraine peace deal
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that the conditions must be imposed on Russia, not on Ukraine.
She said all participants in peace negotiations must understand that reaching a peace agreement will require the consent of European countries.
"And for that, we also have conditions. And we should put the conditions not on Ukrainians, who have been already pressured a lot, but on the Russians," Kallas added.
Peace deal on Ukraine
Last December, a delegation led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with the United States on a 20-point plan to end the war.
Following that, on December 28, Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump agreed on the plan by 90%, while security guarantees were finalized at 100%. Russia was also briefed on the documents, but did not give clear consent.
Later, on January 23–24 and February 4–5, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi to end the war. Zelenskyy stressed that the key issue is the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
According to Reuters, the agreement could be finalized as early as March, with any deal to be put to a referendum alongside national elections.
In addition, the German government said Russia continues to push maximalist demands but should move toward mutual agreement with Ukraine. Berlin also urged Russia to seek "viable compromises" in the peace talks.
In particular, Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas and full control over eastern Ukraine. Moreover, the Kremlin recently said it expects international recognition of Donbas as Russian territory.
Russia is also seeking full control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, offering Ukraine cheap electricity in return. Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected these demands.
