EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has warned that discussions over deploying a peacekeeping force in Ukraine could play directly into Vladimir Putin’s hands, describing it as a “Russian trap.”
In a recent interview with Euractiv, Kallas stressed that Moscow does not want peace but rather to manipulate the situation to its advantage. Instead of premature peacekeeping proposals, she argues that the European Union must intensify economic pressure on Russia, particularly through maintaining and strengthening sanctions.
Sanctions as a Strategic Tool
Kallas dismissed the idea of lifting or easing sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that such a move would only reward Moscow’s aggression. “It is not wise to give up the strong card that we have in our hands,” she said. “Why do the Russians want the lifting of sanctions? Because they hurt them, and they want to go back to business as usual.”
She pointed out that Russia’s economy is in dire straits due to Western sanctions, with its sovereign wealth fund nearly depleted, interest rates exceeding 20%, and restricted access to international capital. “They want us to believe they are strong, but actually, it is not true, and we should not walk into that trap,” Kallas warned.
Keeping Russia Economically Isolated
Kallas stressed that the EU must continue blocking Russia from global financial systems. She urged European leaders to crack down on sanction loopholes and prevent companies from engaging in indirect trade with Russia through third-party nations. “Sanctions only work if they are enforced properly,” she stated. “Every loophole closed is another step toward limiting Russia’s ability to sustain this war.”
She also called for further targeting of Russia’s energy sector, insisting that European nations should end reliance on Russian fossil fuels and fully implement existing bans. “Oil and gas revenues fuel Russia’s war machine. We must ensure that Europe no longer contributes to Moscow’s military budget,” she said.
The Risk of a Weak Deal
Kallas expressed concerns over the US-Russia negotiations in Riyadh, warning that any settlement made without European and Ukrainian input would be ineffective. “If some deal is agreed that we don’t agree to, then it will just fail because it will not be implemented,” she stated. She also criticized Washington’s initial willingness to concede ground to Moscow before talks had even begun, describing it as a mistake that risked emboldening Russian aggression. “If you give away all the main asks Russia has before the negotiations even start, then their aggression pays off,” she said.
Avoiding a Repeat of History
Drawing historical parallels, Kallas compared the current situation to 1938, when Western democracies attempted to appease Nazi Germany rather than confront its expansionism.
“We are in a situation like 1938,” she said. “The difference now is that, unlike Czechoslovakia, Ukraine has decided to fight. We must reallocate our resources to help them defend themselves so that we do not face a Second World War.”
She acknowledged growing political fatigue over the war but cautioned against wishful thinking that a premature peace deal would bring stability. “In many societies, there is this will to pack things up and go back to business as usual,” she said. “But any kind of bad deal is just a deal for Russia to regroup and attack again.”
Europe’s Role Moving Forward
With uncertainty surrounding the US approach under President Donald Trump, Kallas underscored the need for Europe to take the lead in countering Russian aggression. She reiterated that strengthening Ukraine militarily is the most effective way to ensure a fair and lasting peace. “The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” she stated.
As the EU prepares for further discussions on tightening sanctions and restricting Russian economic activity, Kallas’s message is clear: sustained pressure is the only way to weaken Moscow’s war effort and prevent further aggression.
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