Limassol, Cyprus. European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday that the bloc opposes the presence of Russian troops in Georgia and Moldova and wants a stronger response to Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Russian troops in Georgia and Moldova
Kallas said there are broader security concerns linked to the presence of Russian troops in Georgia and Moldova, adding that it is in Europe’s interest for those forces to no longer be stationed there.
EU position on Ukraine
She said that in February she had put forward a discussion paper to the 27 foreign ministers, with its first point stating that an unconditional ceasefire is a prerequisite for any peace negotiations. She said that position was underlined by ministers in Limassol on Thursday.
Kallas said Russia must stop sabotage operations, cyberattacks, election interference and airspace violations across Europe. She also said there can be no legal recognition of occupied Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia in 2014 and during the war that followed the 2022 full-scale invasion.
She added that Russia must cooperate with international investigations and should pay for the destruction it has caused. Any peace agreement, she said, must fully accept Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and right to choose its own alliances.
Pressure on Moscow
Kallas said ministers in Limassol discussed how to increase global pressure on Russia through sanctions. She said too many countries continue to do business with Moscow while enjoying privileged access to European markets and investments.
Europe must use its leverage more effectively on trade, investment, market access and partnerships, she said, adding that the EU is preparing new sanctions on Russia to pressure it to move from pretending to negotiate to actually coming to the negotiating table.
Comments from Kombos
Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said Europe must now show tangible action in its response to the war.
He said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had travelled to Cyprus to attend Wednesday evening’s meal with the ministers and Kallas, and that the ministers had the opportunity to hear the latest situation on the ground in Ukraine.
