EU сhief diplomat explains why Europe will never be neutral mediator between Ukraine and Russia

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated at a press conference following the informal EU foreign ministers' summit in Cyprus that Europe cannot be a neutral mediator in potential talks between Ukraine and Russia, as it stands on Ukraine's side.

Source: European Pravda

Quote: "It is good that ministers have the chance to reflect, and we had really thorough discussions on what concessions Europe should ask from Moscow, and what our red lines are. And one thing is very clear: Europe will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine, because we are on Ukraine's side and we are defending our own core security interests."

Details: In the context of a possible EU negotiator with Russia, Kallas noted that it is very important to encourage Ukraine and Russia to engage in dialogue, "because there are so many issues that only they can resolve, and no one else".

She concluded that there may be countries conducting such shuttle diplomacy, but that ultimately it is Ukraine and Russia who must sit down at the negotiating table and resolve the issues that only they can resolve.

Background:

• Kallas previously stressed that in discussions on the candidacy of an EU negotiator, the EU must not fall into a Russian trap whereby Moscow promotes the most convenient candidate for itself.
• Finland anticipates that defining Europe's role in the negotiation process regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and identifying a specific negotiator will be a lengthy process.
• Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide believes that Europe cannot act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia in talks on ending the war.

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