Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Kallas Says Europe Must Gain From Ukraine Peace Deal
Kaja Kallas said Europe should not agree to a peace plan without receiving something in return.
She said any agreement would also require Europe to make important commitments.
Kallas believes Russia and Ukraine need to speak directly to each other.
She said Europe cannot act as a neutral mediator because it supports Ukraine.
Her comments came after US envoys met officials in Moscow and Kyiv.
The envoys were trying to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Earlier talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States had taken place in Abu Dhabi and Geneva.
Those talks later stopped.
Kallas also warned that Europe could have less influence if it is left out of a future summit.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe should not make concessions without receiving commitments in return.
Kallas said Russia and Ukraine must negotiate directly because Europe is supporting Ukraine and is not neutral.
Her comments followed meetings in Moscow and Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
European involvement could be limited if a future trilateral summit excludes the European Union.
Earlier negotiations in Abu Dhabi and Geneva stalled and remain suspended.
- Who
- Kaja Kallas, Russia, Ukraine, the United States and European officials are involved in the diplomatic efforts.
- What
- Kallas said Europe should seek commitments in return for any contributions to a future Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.
- When
- She made the remarks on Monday after US envoys visited Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend.
- Where
- Kallas spoke in Vilnius, Lithuania; related meetings took place in Moscow and Kyiv.
- Why
- The comments came amid renewed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and concerns about Europe's role in a possible trilateral summit.
European involvement and reciprocity
Direct Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
Europe's role in a peace agreement
European involvement and reciprocity
Kaja Kallas says any agreement would involve significant requests and commitments for Europe, so Europe should not give without receiving something in return.
Direct Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
Kallas says Europe cannot be a neutral mediator because it has consistently supported Ukraine.
Who should negotiate directly
European involvement and reciprocity
European officials want their interests and commitments considered because the outcome would affect European security and policy.
Direct Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
Kallas says Russia and Ukraine ultimately need to speak directly to each other.
A summit without the European Union
European involvement and reciprocity
Excluding the European Union from a possible trilateral summit could reduce Europe's ability to shape the final outcome.
Direct Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
The recent diplomacy has centered on meetings among US, Russian and Ukrainian representatives, including visits to Moscow and Kyiv.
- Speaker
- Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief
- Location of remarks
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- US envoys
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
- Recent meetings
- Witkoff and Kushner met Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
- Earlier negotiation rounds
- Talks were held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24 and February 4-5, followed by Geneva talks on February 17-18.
- Status of negotiations
- The trilateral negotiations subsequently stalled and remain suspended.
- Lithuania's EU priorities
- Security and defence, EU enlargement, competitiveness, internal security and social resilience.