"Supporting Ukraine now is much cheaper than enduring the war later" – Kallas
Photo: Saeima / Juris Vigulis / Daigas Mieriņas vizīte Igaunijā
Western leaders should stop pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to enter into peace talks with the Russian Federation and instead ensure that promises regarding security guarantees for Kyiv are not "empty."
The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, said this in an interview with the Financial Times.
The declaration was made on the night before the EU leaders' gathering, where providing assistance to Ukraine will be a crucial topic. The European diplomat emphasized that putting pressure on Ukraine in the absence of real efforts from Russia to end the war is pointless.
"We can't talk about peacekeepers when there's no peace. And why is there no peace? Because Russia does not want peace," she said.
The head of EU diplomacy believes that negotiations are possible only if Moscow demonstrates a real willingness to stop aggression.
Against the backdrop of statements by US President-elect Donald Trump about the possible termination of military assistance to Ukraine, EU countries are forced to rethink their approaches to supporting Kyiv. Kallas, in turn, stressed that timely assistance to Ukraine now is much cheaper than a prolonged war in the future.
"Supporting Ukraine now is much cheaper than enduring the war later. Russia hasn't changed its goals. I mean, we need to be very honest with ourselves in this regard. What are we really doing right now?" she said.
For reference:
On the eve of the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The meeting focused on discussing long-term support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.
According to the draft statement, European Union leaders at the summit intend to send a "clear signal" to US President-elect Donald Trump about their continued support for Ukraine.
"Russia must not prevail," the draft EU statement says.
They also add that no initiative regarding Ukraine should be implemented without Kyiv's participation.
Rubryka reported that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on December 18. He plans to meet with the leaders and prime ministers of seven countries.
He will participate in the first meeting of the European Council after its president is appointed.
During his visit, Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with the leaders and heads of government of France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The head of the Ukrainian state will also hold talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Ahead of talks in Brussels on Wednesday, December 18, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they would focus on strengthening Ukraine's position and the economy. Air defense supplies will also be among the topics of discussion.
