EU high rep: No talks on Ukraine with Russia without ceasefire

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has strongly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent offer to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine, insisting that meaningful talks cannot take place without a prior ceasefire agreement from Russia.

"If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire," Kallas said in London, accusing Russia of "playing games", Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This statement comes after French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot urged Putin to accept an invitation to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on May 15.

Barrot emphasised that, from France’s perspective, a ceasefire is a fundamental prerequisite for meaningful peace negotiations.  

He stated that nearly half of the measures included in the EU's 17th sanctions package against Russia were drafted by France. In his late-night address on May 11, Putin proposed restarting peace talks with Ukraine, which had stalled in the spring of 2022. Putin claimed that the Ukrainian delegation withdrew from negotiations and rejected a draft agreement under pressure from Western allies. 

In response to Russia's proposal, Zelenskyy stated that he would personally wait for Putin in Istanbul on May 15, provided there is a ceasefire. He noted that a complete and lasting cessation of hostilities would provide the necessary foundation for diplomacy.

By Naila Huseynova