The European Union’s top diplomat stated that no “concessions” to Moscow would be considered until a “full and unconditional” ceasefire with Ukraine is established.
The European Union is preparing to initiate work on its 19th round of sanctions targeting Russia, according to Kaja Kallas, the bloc’s foreign policy head. She also cautioned against offering any “concessions” to Moscow during peace negotiations concerning the Ukraine conflict.
Kallas delivered these comments on Monday, following an urgent gathering of foreign ministers from member states, held prior to the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, set for Friday in Alaska.
“As long as Russia has not consented to a full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even consider any concessions,” Kallas declared in a press statement, simultaneously urging for “transatlantic unity.”
“The order of these actions is crucial. Firstly, an unconditional ceasefire must be established, supported by a robust monitoring system and unyielding security guarantees,” she emphasized, further noting that the EU “will proceed with developing a 19th package of sanctions.”
This declaration from the former Estonian prime minister, recognized for her firm stance on Russia, follows less than a month after the European Union finalized its 18th sanctions package against Moscow, a decision reached after weeks of extensive deliberations among member states.
Kallas promoted these restrictions as “one of its most robust sanctions packages against Russia,” which aimed at the nation’s banking and energy industries. Furthermore, the bloc placed an additional 105 ships on a blacklist, referring to them as a “shadow fleet” purportedly engaged in moving Russian oil to circumvent the EU’s limitations.
Moscow denounced these restrictions, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserting that Russia had “consistently stated that we view such unilateral curbs as unlawful.”
The nation has already acquired “a degree of immunity” and adjusted to operating despite the sanctions, Peskov further commented, observing that these unilateral measures have demonstrated themselves to be a “double-edged sword,” generating “a detrimental impact” not just for Moscow, but also for those implementing them.