Kallas: European countries should force Russia into dialogue for peace, instead of begging for negotiations

(Patria) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas believes that European countries should force Russia into a genuine dialogue for peace, instead of begging for negotiations, writes Ukrainska Pravda.

When asked by journalists whether Europe risks its own interests by not engaging in dialogue with Russia while the US is conducting one, Kallas replied that she currently sees no signs that Russia is ready for meaningful talks, and therefore Europeans should not seek them.

- We should not humiliate ourselves and be the ones begging: 'Please, we beg you, talk to us'. Instead, we should put them in a position where they move from feigning negotiations to real negotiations - Kallas said after the meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8).

She announced that EU foreign ministers will meet in Cyprus to discuss the demands the bloc will set for Russia regarding the end of the war against Ukraine.

- In Cyprus, we plan to discuss with the European Union's foreign ministers what our vision is and what our demands are towards Russia after the end of this war.

The goal is to ensure that Russia no longer poses a threat to any of these countries, nor to Europe as a whole, because that has been the problem.

Therefore, before we talk to them, we must truly agree on what we want to talk about - Kallas emphasized.

This statement comes after Estonian President Alar Karis said that European countries should already be planning their actions for the period after the end of Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as a model of relations with Russia, as it could happen quickly and unexpectedly.

Karis also expressed the opinion that Europe made a mistake by missing the opportunity to initiate peace negotiations with Russia at the very beginning of the war, after Ukraine's first key success in defending Kyiv.

Due to these statements, the Estonian president was criticized by some politicians there. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Karis's position is contrary to the country's foreign policy.