EU’s Kallas: Russia “not serious about peace”

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said on January 29 that Russia is not genuinely pursuing peace in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of continuing military attacks while engaging in talks without real negotiating authority.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas pointed to recent discussions involving Russia, including meetings held in Abu Dhabi, but dismissed them as insincere, Caliber.Az reports per EU press service. 

“On the Russian side, there are only military personnel present who do not have a mandate to agree on anything, which means that they are definitely not serious about peace,” Kallas said.

She warned that Russia’s actions on the ground contradict any diplomatic overtures, as attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure intensify during the winter months.

“It is the opposite. They are bombing Ukrainians, trying to bomb and freeze them to surrender,” she said.

Kallas emphasised that the EU is discussing additional energy assistance for Ukraine to help the country endure the harsh winter, describing the situation as increasingly dire. She also welcomed plans to place Russia on a money-laundering blacklist, arguing that financial pressure is a necessary tool to curb Moscow’s ability to fund the war.

“Also positive is that we are going to blacklist Russia on the money laundering list, because they are using the means to fund this war,” Kallas said.

Concluding her remarks, the EU’s top diplomat stressed that sustained pressure is essential to bring Russia to the negotiating table in a meaningful way.

“I think any means to pressure Russia into real negotiations is good, and we are going forward with this,” she said.

By Sabina Mammadli