Conditions for future negotiations with Moscow

During a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Limassol, Kaja Kallas stated that any potential negotiations with Russia must go beyond the framework of the conflict in Ukraine. According to her, European security requires Russia to adhere to international agreements regarding the sovereignty of its neighbors.

"Russia must respect international agreements. It is in the interest of European security that these troops are not there and do not interfere in the elections of other countries," Kallas stated.
  • Reduction of armed forces: Kallas proposed mirror concessions – if Russia demands restrictions on Ukraine, the same must apply to the Russian army.
  • Withdrawal of troops: Insistence on the withdrawal of the Russian military presence from Transnistria (Moldova), Abkhazia, and South Ossetia (Georgia).

Moscow's reaction

Kallas's statements provoked a sharp and angry reaction from Russian officials. Sergey Lavrov described her words as "idiotic," and Kirill Dmitriev called her an "irresponsible warmonger." The Kremlin, through Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that negotiations with her would not be easy.