I fear that all the pressure in the peace talks for Ukraine will be on the weaker side, this is the easier way to end the war - for Ukraine to surrender, but this is not in anyone's interest - for Ukraine, for the EU or for global security. This was stated by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, at a press conference after today's meeting of European defense ministers in Brussels.
The UN Charter states that state borders cannot be changed by force, she added. If negotiators want to ensure that there is no new military attack, the withdrawal of Russian troops from other parts of Europe could be discussed, said Kallas in response to a question about the Russian military presence in Transnistria.
The Russians have clearly shown that they are not interested in peace. We need to make them feel forced to negotiate, said Kallas. According to her, this week could prove decisive for diplomacy. According to Kallas, Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to hold on to any agreement for long.
We must do everything possible to support the victim in this war, sustainable financing is crucial, the high representative said. Kallas assured that the EU hears Belgium's concerns about the plan to provide a loan to Kiev with Russian assets frozen under European sanctions. She said the European Council meeting later this month would be key in this regard.
It is clear that Russia owes compensation, and providing it with frozen Russian funds is the right way, said Kallas. I do not underestimate the concerns of the Belgian government, Belgium is under great pressure, but this is the best solution, she concluded.