EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the week could be pivotal for Ukraine war diplomacy as a US envoy heads to Moscow for talks
BRUSSELS: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that the coming week could be pivotal for diplomacy aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Kallas made the statement as a US envoy prepared to head to Moscow following talks with Ukrainian negotiators in the United States.
“It could be a pivotal week for diplomacy,” Kallas told reporters at a meeting of EU defence ministers.
“We heard yesterday that the talks in America were difficult but productive.”
She added that she would speak with Ukraine’s defence and foreign ministers later on Monday.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is travelling to Russia for expected talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
This follows high-stakes negotiations on Sunday between Trump administration officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Florida.
When asked if she trusted the United States to negotiate a good deal, Kallas sidestepped the question.
She instead stated it would be better if Europe, which has been largely sidelined, were part of the diplomatic efforts.
“The Ukrainians are there alone,” Kallas said.
“If they would be together with Europeans, they would definitely be much stronger.”
She expressed trust that Ukrainians would stand up for themselves.
Kallas added that Europe must focus on making “Ukraine as strong as possible” for them to be ready in this difficult time.
The EU is currently debating a plan to provide Ukraine a massive EUR 140 billion loan funded by frozen Russian assets.
The proposal faces opposition from key member Belgium.
Kallas said the bloc was determined to reach a “result for the financing of Ukraine” at a December 18 leaders summit.
“We are not going to leave” without a deal, she stated. – AFP
