EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that she will propose a list of concessions that Europe should demand from Russia as part of a settlement to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Kallas stressed that any peace deal must have European approval, noting that “everybody around the table, including the Russians and the Americans, needs to understand that you need Europeans to agree to have a peace deal.”
She emphasized that the conditions should not be placed on Ukraine, which has already faced immense pressure throughout the conflict, but rather on Russia. Kallas’s remarks highlight the EU’s determination to play a central role in shaping the terms of any eventual peace agreement, ensuring that European interests and security concerns are fully addressed.
Her comments come at a time when discussions about possible pathways to peace are gaining momentum, though the war continues to grind on with heavy costs for Ukraine and ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West. By signaling that Europe will set its own conditions, Kallas is reinforcing the EU’s position as a key stakeholder in negotiations, alongside the United States and other international actors.
The proposal of concessions is expected to outline specific demands that Russia would need to meet in order for Europe to support a peace settlement. While details have not yet been disclosed, the emphasis on placing conditions on Russia rather than Ukraine reflects a broader effort to protect Kyiv from further compromises that could undermine its sovereignty or security.
This stance underscores the EU’s evolving role in the conflict, moving beyond support for Ukraine to actively shaping the framework of a potential peace deal. It also signals to Moscow that any agreement will not simply be brokered between Russia and the United States, but must involve Europe as an equal partner with its own set of requirements.
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