EU foreign policy chief: Russia gains more at negotiating table than on battlefield

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that the greatest threat posed by Russia is that it is gaining more at the negotiating table than it has achieved on the battlefield.

Source: Kallas's speech at the Munich Security Conference, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kallas noted that Russia has "barely advanced" beyond the 2014 front line at the cost of 1.2 million casualties, while Moscow is making unrealistic demands in negotiations.

Quote: "Today Russia is broken, its economy is in shreds, it is disconnected from the European energy markets, and its own citizens are fleeing. In fact, the greatest threat Russia presents right now is that it gains more at the negotiation table than it has achieved on the battlefield."

Details: Kallas added that what matters is not merely having a seat at the negotiating table, but understanding what should be negotiated.

Quote: "How we see it is very simple, Russia's maximalist demands cannot be met with minimalist response. Think about it, if Ukraine's military is to be limited in size, Russia should be too. Where Russia has caused damage in Ukraine, Russia should pay."

Details: Kallas said that compensation for the damage inflicted on Ukraine, the return of deported Ukrainian children, and no amnesty for war crimes constitute the minimum Russia must accept if it genuinely seeks peace.

She added that as Europe does not see readiness for negotiations from the Kremlin, it will continue rearmament.

Background:

• On 10 February, Kallas said she would initiate a discussion with EU member states regarding a list of concessions that Europe should demand from Russia as part of a potential agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
• She has previously warned that focusing on concessions from Ukraine risks blurring Russia's responsibility for launching its aggression.

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