The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, indicated this Monday that she does not perceive Russia as yet "prepared" to move towards talks with Ukraine. At the same time, she advocated for intensifying pressure on Moscow and reinforcing aid to Kyiv with the aim of bringing a future resolution to the conflict closer.
"I have the impression that Russia is not yet ready. That is why we also need more strategic patience. It is not us who are asking for these talks. In reality, it is Russia that has to talk to us if it wants to end this war," she indicated upon arriving at the informal meeting of EU Defense Ministers in Nicosia (Cyprus).
Kallas stressed that the European Union must do "everything possible" to ensure that Russia and Ukraine eventually sit down to negotiate, although she underlined that Moscow must first take concrete steps that demonstrate its real willingness to move towards a diplomatic solution.
"In the end, they will have to reach an agreement," pointed out the head of community diplomacy, while warning that the continuation of Russian attacks prevents, for now, talking about a credible negotiation scenario.
In this regard, she defended increasing pressure on the Kremlin and, in parallel, increasing European support for Kyiv. "The first thing they should do is agree to a ceasefire and sit down at the negotiating table. However, we also observe certain movements within Russia that show that not everyone is satisfied with this war continuing. That is why we must increase pressure on Russia and, at the same time, increase our support for Ukraine," she added.
The European official also stressed that any eventual agreement must consider the EU's security interests, especially in aspects such as a possible easing of sanctions or the unblocking of frozen Russian assets.
"We also have to keep our fundamental European interests in mind," stated Kallas, who recalled that the EU Foreign Ministers already discussed last week what the bloc's conditions should be for future talks with Moscow.
Ukraine could "push" Putin towards the dialogue table
For his part, the European Commissioner for Defence, Andrius Kubilius, has assessed that the recent evolution of the war could facilitate a negotiation scenario, by maintaining that Ukraine is strengthening its position both on the front and through long-range attacks.
"It seems that Ukraine is beginning to assert itself on different fronts, both on the ground, near Donetsk and Pokrovsk, and with deep attacks. And that is changing the entire narrative, the entire perception, to the point that it could push Putin to negotiate," he assured.
The Lithuanian politician has also advocated for increasing European support for Ukraine and has highlighted that member states still have room to maintain a high level of military aid to Kyiv, considering that a stronger position for Ukraine on the ground is the best way to bring about lasting peace.
The interventions of Kallas and Kubilius come after the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, met this Sunday in London and advocated for a ceasefire with Russia accompanied by security guarantees for Ukraine.