Russians Declared 'Winners' by EU’s Kallas
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas has cautioned that Moscow is influencing the direction of the current US-Russia discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to the foreign policy chief of the EU, the recent talks held in Riyadh demonstrate Moscow’s increasing influence.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, has asserted that Moscow emerged with a favorable position following the recent US-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia, which set the agenda for negotiations. The high-level discussions on Tuesday aimed at restoring relations and addressing the Ukraine conflict have left the EU feeling frustrated. Member states criticized the US for sidelining both Brussels and Kiev during the negotiations.
In an interview with Euractiv on the day of the meeting, Kallas responded to inquiries about Europe's exclusion from the talks. "Of course, the Americans can meet with whomever they wish to," she stated, but emphasized that for any peace agreement related to Ukraine to be effective, it must include both Europeans and Ukrainians.
Kallas noted, “Right now, if you also look at the images from Saudi Arabia, the Russians are the winners. Their posture is: ‘Everybody is coming to us now and offering us what we want.’” She cautioned, “Let’s not walk into the Russian traps."
The Riyadh meeting followed a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders consented to begin negotiations aimed at resolving the nearly three-year conflict.
In a related context, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ruled out the deployment of American troops as part of potential security guarantees for Ukraine. This development led to an emergency meeting among America's European NATO allies in France on Monday, aimed at crafting a unified EU response, but it did not yield significant outcomes.
Kallas also addressed Europe’s potential responses should Trump continue excluding its leaders from discussions. She remarked, “If some deal is agreed that we don’t agree to, then it will just fail, because it will not be implemented.” She highlighted the mixed signals coming from the Americans, sometimes even from the same individuals in different contexts, complicating Europe’s understanding of the situation. Kallas stressed that Europe must adapt to the new administration’s tactics.
“Right now, we should focus our strength on supporting Ukraine, and the stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Kallas added.
In related news, PMG reported on Wednesday, citing EU diplomats, that the bloc is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine amounting to at least $6.2 billion. This package is expected to consist of 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, marking one of the bloc's largest military commitments since the conflict escalated in 2022.
Western media have also indicated that the EU has reached an agreement on a 16th package of sanctions against Russia. Although not yet finalized, the sanctions are expected to receive endorsements from EU foreign ministers next week, according to AP.
Moscow has issued warnings regarding Western arms supplies to Ukraine, contending that such shipments merely prolong the conflict without changing its outcome, while also heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko has proposed that the EU could aid in resolving the crisis by ceasing military and logistical support to Ukraine.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, has asserted that Moscow emerged with a favorable position following the recent US-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia, which set the agenda for negotiations. The high-level discussions on Tuesday aimed at restoring relations and addressing the Ukraine conflict have left the EU feeling frustrated. Member states criticized the US for sidelining both Brussels and Kiev during the negotiations.
In an interview with Euractiv on the day of the meeting, Kallas responded to inquiries about Europe's exclusion from the talks. "Of course, the Americans can meet with whomever they wish to," she stated, but emphasized that for any peace agreement related to Ukraine to be effective, it must include both Europeans and Ukrainians.
Kallas noted, “Right now, if you also look at the images from Saudi Arabia, the Russians are the winners. Their posture is: ‘Everybody is coming to us now and offering us what we want.’” She cautioned, “Let’s not walk into the Russian traps."
The Riyadh meeting followed a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders consented to begin negotiations aimed at resolving the nearly three-year conflict.
In a related context, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ruled out the deployment of American troops as part of potential security guarantees for Ukraine. This development led to an emergency meeting among America's European NATO allies in France on Monday, aimed at crafting a unified EU response, but it did not yield significant outcomes.
Kallas also addressed Europe’s potential responses should Trump continue excluding its leaders from discussions. She remarked, “If some deal is agreed that we don’t agree to, then it will just fail, because it will not be implemented.” She highlighted the mixed signals coming from the Americans, sometimes even from the same individuals in different contexts, complicating Europe’s understanding of the situation. Kallas stressed that Europe must adapt to the new administration’s tactics.
“Right now, we should focus our strength on supporting Ukraine, and the stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Kallas added.
In related news, PMG reported on Wednesday, citing EU diplomats, that the bloc is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine amounting to at least $6.2 billion. This package is expected to consist of 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, marking one of the bloc's largest military commitments since the conflict escalated in 2022.
Western media have also indicated that the EU has reached an agreement on a 16th package of sanctions against Russia. Although not yet finalized, the sanctions are expected to receive endorsements from EU foreign ministers next week, according to AP.
Moscow has issued warnings regarding Western arms supplies to Ukraine, contending that such shipments merely prolong the conflict without changing its outcome, while also heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko has proposed that the EU could aid in resolving the crisis by ceasing military and logistical support to Ukraine.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
