Kallas says any US-Russia deal must include Ukraine and EU

BRUSSELS/BERLIN: European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

In emailed comments, Kallas said, “The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security.”

The statement came as US President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Read more: US, Russia eye truce deal that will cement Putin’s gains in Ukraine

OCCUPIED LAND IS OF UKRAINE

Moreover, Kallas said that “as we work towards a sustainable and just peace, international law is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine”.

About the future ramifications, she added, “A deal must not provide a springboard for further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance and Europe.”

Meanwhile, Kallas also said that ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza.

TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS

Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday Germany assumes that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a summit between Trump and Putin next Friday.

“We hope and assume that the government of Ukraine, that President Zelensky will be involved in this meeting,” Merz said in an interview with broadcaster ARD.

Read more: Merz noted on world stage, but right wing stance causes fissures at home

About the efforts his country is making, Merz told ARD that Berlin was working closely with Washington to try to ensure Zelensky’s attendance at the talks.

In his comments, Merz also showed how Europe looks at the Ukraine war and the Russian plans.

He said, “We cannot accept in any case that territorial questions are discussed or even decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians.”

“I assume that the American government sees it the same way.”

Merz added that he hoped that the talks could make significant progress towards a peace settlement and even produce a “breakthrough”.

“We hope that there will be a breakthrough on Friday,” he said.

“Above all (we hope) that there will finally be a ceasefire and that there can be peace negotiations in Ukraine.”