EU Chief Says Russia Must Make Concessions to Prevent Global Wars

(MENAFN) The European Union's top diplomat has issued a stark warning: without meaningful Russian concessions, the world faces the threat of renewed warfare beyond Ukraine's borders.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, delivered the assessment during a Friday interview with an Italian newspaper, emphasizing that genuine peace remains unattainable without fundamental shifts in Moscow's posture and military capabilities.

"The problem for peace is Russia. Even if Ukraine received security guarantees, but there were no concessions from Russia, we would have other wars, perhaps not in Ukraine but elsewhere," Kallas stated.

While acknowledging fresh diplomatic initiatives—including those spearheaded by Washington—Kallas expressed skepticism about Moscow's commitment to ending hostilities. She pointed to relentless Russian strikes targeting Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure as evidence of the Kremlin's lack of "genuine willingness" to pursue peace.

The EU official outlined her vision for lasting stability: any credible framework must begin with an immediate ceasefire, followed by constraints designed to prevent future Russian aggression.

"For a sustainable peace, we must ensure that Russia doesn't attack again. We need concessions from Russia, whether it means limiting their army or curbing their military budget," Kallas explained.

She underscored Brussels' unwavering stance against territorial compromise, declaring that "no territorial concessions and no recognition of the occupation of Ukrainian land" would be acceptable. The principle that international boundaries cannot be redrawn through military force remains non-negotiable for the bloc.

"And there should be no points in the European security architecture that give Russia a direct role," the foreign policy chief added.

On Ukraine's potential EU membership timeline, Kallas clarified that the 2027 target depends on merit-based criteria evaluated by member states. However, she suggested American backing could help neutralize internal opposition—particularly from Hungary, which has obstructed Kyiv's accession path.

"This proposal is a good sign for the country that's blocking Ukraine's progress, a country very friendly to the United States (Hungary): the US push for it could convince them to lift their veto," Kallas concluded.

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