The head of European Union (EU) diplomacy stated this Monday that foreign ministers will discuss at the end of the month, in Cyprus, the conditions for speaking with Russia and ruled out that former German Chancellor Schröder represents the bloc.
Speaking to journalists, upon entering a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kaja Kallas was asked whether she considers that the bloc should talk to Russia about its security architecture, as has been defended by figures such as the president of the European Council, António Costa.
“Before we start talking to Russia, we must discuss among ourselves what it is we want to talk about. And that’s why we’re going to have a Gymnich meeting [reunião informal dos ministros dos Negócios Estrangeiros, agendada para o final do mês em Chipre] where we will discuss the proposals that are on the table to address the issues we have,” Kallas responded.
“Russia is constantly attacking its neighbors”
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy considered that the current problem with Europe’s security architecture “is that Russia is constantly attacking its neighbors”.
“To be able to prevent this, we need concessions from the Russian side. I was in Moldova last week and there, for example, there are Russian troops. It could be one of our conditions: that, in order to have stability and security in the region, they withdraw their troops”, he exemplified.
Asked about the fact that the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, had suggested the name of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a potential EU representative for negotiations with Russia, Kaja Kallas countered that “it wouldn’t be very smart” to let Moscow choose who it wants to talk to.
“And secondly, Gerhard Schröder has been the main lobbyist for Russian state companies. So the reason why Putin wants him there is obvious: to have a seat on both sides of the table,” he said.
New sanctions on the way
In these statements to journalists, Kaja Kallas also said that the EU is expected to approve new sanctions against Russia this Monday, for the abduction of Ukrainian children, on the same day that a meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children will be held in Brussels.
“I hope that we approve sanctions that target the people who are helping to work with the Ukrainian children who have been deported”, he said, stating that “what is being done to these children is horrible”.
Asked how the EU intends to ensure that children return to Ukraine, Kallas acknowledged that it is a “difficult issue”, noting that Kiev has not kidnapped any Russian children, “so there can be no exchanges”.
“We have different options and proposals on the table, such as negotiating with the Russians to bring the children back. But, for this, we need to use all international support, including from those countries that deal most closely with Russia. We will also discuss these projects today, but it is, without a doubt, very difficult”, he acknowledged.
With LUSA
