EU’s Top Diplomat Slams Russia’s Demands on Ukraine
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has criticized Russia’s demands to stop arming Ukraine, saying that they "can’t be accepted." This statement comes after a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, which did not result in a breakthrough ceasefire.
Russia’s Refusal to Make Concessions
According to Kallas, "if you read the two readouts from the call, so it is clear that Russia does not really want to make any kind of concessions." Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy targets, but only if the West halts all military aid to Kyiv.
Kremlin’s Demands
Kallas emphasized that Russia’s demand for a complete ceasefire is unrealistic. "What Russia wants is that Ukraine will let all the guards down," she said. "If they achieve that no military aid to Ukraine, then they are free to continue, because the Ukrainians can’t defend themselves. So I mean, clearly this can’t work."
US Push for Ceasefire
The United States has been pushing for an immediate 30-day ceasefire as a first step to ending the grinding three-year-old war. However, the highly anticipated call did not secure a breakthrough ceasefire, but it did result in a scaled-back commitment to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Ukrainian Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of rejecting the US-backed ceasefire and launching a fresh aerial barrage on Wednesday. Explosions and air raid sirens were heard in Ukraine as Moscow targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital.
Conclusion
The EU’s top diplomat’s statement highlights the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. With Russia’s refusal to make concessions and the US push for a ceasefire, the situation remains unstable and volatile. The international community continues to urge a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but it remains to be seen if this will be possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did the call between Putin and Trump result in?
- A scaled-back commitment to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, but no full ceasefire.
- What is the EU’s stance on Russia’s demands?
- The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has said that Russia’s demands to stop arming Ukraine "can’t be accepted".
- What is the US pushing for?
- An immediate 30-day ceasefire as a first step to ending the three-year-old war.