Kallas: Europe Must Seek a Ceasefire and Avoid Russia's Trap in Ukraine Talks

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for foreign affairs, said on Friday, 13 November, that Europe must not fall into a Russian trap in negotiations on ending the war Russia started against Ukraine. Speaking at an informal summit of EU leaders in Dublin, she argued that the priority should be securing a ceasefire rather than broader security talks. The question matters because Europe has still not agreed who will speak for it at the peace negotiations.

What the US and the Kremlin said

On Thursday, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, US envoys said Europe would join the next rounds of talks. The Kremlin responded that no decision had yet been made. Moscow insists that any negotiations must include a review of Europe's security architecture and, by all appearances, is again pressing for a reduction of NATO's influence.

US envoy Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, said Europe's involvement would make it possible to address wider post-war security arrangements on the continent. This prospect has caused concern in Europe, where US allies have long rejected the Kremlin's wish to reshape the continent's security system.

Kallas's position

"First we need a ceasefire. If we start talking about what Russia demands on security architecture, we effectively fall into the trap Russia has set for us," Kallas said, adding that it would distract from the fact that no ceasefire has been agreed. She believes Russia does not want a strong representative on the other side because it hopes to secure its maximum demands. Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia who has put herself forward as a candidate, said Russia has no say over who represents Europe.

Dispute over representation

This week, officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the EU attended talks in Abu Dhabi. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other politicians back keeping such a combination, which would avoid choosing a single person. Others insist on respecting the EU treaties, under which the bloc is represented by its top officials.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it is self-evident that Europe should be included in peace talks to protect its interests and support Ukraine. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said he believes a final decision should be made within one to two weeks.