The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has stated that if negotiations with Russia over Ukraine begin, the European Union would, among other issues, raise the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia and Moldova.
Speaking in Cyprus, where an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers was underway, Kallas responded to a journalist’s question regarding the key substantive points that would be discussed in the event of negotiations.
“I presented this document back in February, where I listed everything I could think of, starting with Russia respecting the international agreements under which it has committed not to attack its neighbors and to respect their sovereignty. However, there are, of course, other issues that reflect the concessions Ukraine has been asked to make, for example regarding limitations on armed forces. If such provisions are reflected in an agreement, then certain obligations must also apply to Russia,” Kallas said.
She claimed that broader security concerns must also be taken into account, including the presence of Russian troops in countries such as Georgia and Moldova.
“If we think about the presence of Russian troops in countries like Georgia and Moldova, it is in Europe’s security interest that these troops are not there and that there is no interference in elections in different countries,” Kallas stated.
She added that while this may be considered a maximalist approach, Russia itself is advancing maximalist demands in the negotiations.
