Forcing Ukraine into rushed negotiations with Russia to end the nearly three-year war risks leading to a “bad deal” for Kyiv, Kaja Kallas has warned, as calls for a quick settlement continue to grow across Europe and around the world.
The High Representative made the comments on Thursday morning before heading into a summit of European Union leaders where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine tops the agenda.
“Any push for negotiations too soon will actually be a bad deal for Ukraine,” Kallas told reporters in Brussels. “All the other actors in the world are carefully watching how we act in this case and therefore we really need to be strong.”
“Syria shows us that Russia is not invincible and we shouldn’t underestimate our own power,” she added, referring to the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, of which the Kremlin was a prime backer.
“We are a great power if we act together.”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, a staunch advocate of Kyiv, offered a similar view, arguing that “Russia is showing no willingness to negotiate” and therefore any overture for discussion is counterproductive.
“I hear some rumours in the air about possible peace negotiations and my opinion is that probably it’s too early because right now Russia is in the offensive mode,” Nausėda said.
“If we will try to make something from this situation, it will not be a just and sustainable peace. It will be an unjust and unsustainable peace.”
In Nausėda’s view, the EU should move beyond “rhetorical” pledges and instead focus on stepping up its military and financial support for Ukraine to put the country in the strongest possible position before heading into any negotiations.
“Unfortunately, we’re not delivering,” he lamented. “A lot of promises but not so many promises that we could keep.”
“The situation is really complicated and we have to be honest (with) ourselves,” he went on. “We have to be really a global strategic player. And we can become such a player only if we are committed to making the decisions instead of talking, talking and talking.”
The prospect of Ukraine-Russia negotiations has gained traction in recent months, particularly after the victory of Donald Trump in the United States. During the campaign, Trump promised to strike a deal to end the war “in 24 hours,” without specifying how. His team has since then flouted ideas based on sticks and carrots that would see the United States cut off its military support unless Ukraine agrees to enter talks with Russia. Conversely, America would boost its assistance if Russia refused to engage.
The initiative, which is not yet official, has raised the possibility of establishing a peacekeeping mission inside Ukraine to maintain the future arrangement. French President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear that Europe should consider putting boots on the ground, something that for other countries remains highly controversial.
“The priority is that Ukrainians win the war and push back the Russians. And then we can talk about peace,” said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo when asked about Trump’s initiative and a potential peacekeeping mission.
“We need to be quite open if, at some point, the war is won and Ukraine has been able to push back the Russians. Everyone will have to play its role to maintain peace and provide tangible security guarantees,” De Croo added.
His Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, did not rule out establishing a peacekeeping mission but said the debate was a “little premature” and rather a question “for the future.”
“At the moment, we see no indication from Russia that wishes to move in any manner or means towards peace,” Harris said upon arrival in Brussels. “At the same time you’re rightly asking me this question, Russia is continuing to bombard Ukraine.”
Thursday’s summit comes at a perilous time for Kyiv, with Russian forces gaining ground in the East and North Korean soldiers fighting in the Kursk region, some of whom have already been killed, according to US and Ukrainian officials. North Korea’s participation, estimated to be around 11,000 men, has expanded the war’s scale and thrown Russia an essential lifeline to make up for its heavy losses on the ground.
Zelenskyy has warned North Korea’s deployment could grow to 100,000 soldiers.
“We need very much unity between the United States and the EU and countries of Europe,” Zelenskyy said before heading into the summit.
“We need this unity to achieve peace – only together, the United States and Europe, can really stop Putin and save Ukraine.”
That unity, however, is increasingly strained. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has been rebuked by Zelenskyy for proposing a so-called “Christmas ceasefire” while Slovakia’s Robert Fico has suggested the EU “move from being an arms supplier to a peacemaker.”
