The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, has stated that the EU must put forward its own list of demands to Russia as part of the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
‘Everyone at the negotiating table, including Russia and the US, must understand that you need the consent of Europeans,’ she stressed.
It was noted that negotiations to end the war were mainly conducted with the participation of Ukrainian, American and Russian officials, with Europeans being consulted from time to time. However, according to European officials, a peace agreement without the participation of the EU is impossible.
Kallas said she would present the list to the governments of EU member states in the coming days. When asked what the list might include, she mentioned the return of all Ukrainian children and restrictions on Russia’s armed forces.
‘It is important that we discuss what concessions we need to see from the Russian side in order to achieve a sustainable peace,’ she concluded.
European officials also say they have leverage, such as about €210 billion ($250 billion) in Russian assets frozen in Europe, which could be part of any settlement.
