The key facts

  • Kallas: there are no signs of Russia's readiness for a ceasefire; the aggressor needs to be 'squeezed' into talks
  • The EU is working on a new sanctions package and counts on partners, including the US
  • Europe cannot replace Starlink for Kyiv in the short term

Kallas: Russia needs to be 'squeezed' into talks

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, speaking to journalists on Friday on the second day of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, called on the US to increase pressure on Russia. According to her, Moscow must be forced to come to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine. Kallas said she sees no signs that Russia is ready to end the war or join a ceasefire or peace process.

New sanctions package and work with partners

'We are working on a new sanctions package to put pressure on Russia. And we certainly hope we will do this with all our partners around the world,' Kallas said. She added that the EU is trying to convince its American partners that to end this war, it is necessary to 'squeeze the aggressor' — not only to end the current war, but also so that Russia does not start new ones.

List of demands on Russia

Kallas said that together with the EU foreign ministers she has prepared a list of European security concerns and demands that should be presented to Russia in any negotiations. According to her, these issues need to be presented to Moscow, and it should not be given everything it wants without receiving concessions in return. At the same time, she admitted: 'With our American allies, of course, things are very difficult right now.'

Starlink and Europe's defence capability

Speaking about Ukraine's dependence on Starlink, Kallas noted that the satellite communications system remains necessary for Kyiv, and Europe cannot replace its capabilities in the short term. She also said that EU leaders will discuss the readiness of European defence: the European Defence Agency has identified critical gaps in capabilities and industrial capacity that Europe has yet to address. 'The question is implementation, and we need to do it as soon as possible, because we need these capabilities ourselves,' Kallas concluded.