European defense ministers warn Putin isn’t looking for peace
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she expects a "brutal" winter ahead for Ukraine.
European defense ministers and EU representatives warned on Monday that Ukraine faces a difficult period ahead, insisting on continued support for Kyiv despite the U.S. push for talks with Russia. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated that while diplomatic efforts are underway, "Putin's actions tell a different story." She anticipated a "brutal winter" for Kyiv and reiterated the necessity to aid Ukraine in withstanding attacks and increasing the cost for Russia.
Kallas and European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius attended a meeting with defense ministers from the E5 group – France, the U.K., Germany, Poland, and Italy – held at the French armed forces ministry. This meeting occurred amidst renewed U.S. efforts to encourage Ukraine to engage in peace talks with Russia and growing skepticism about Washington's commitment to Kyiv.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff proposed direct talks between Russia's Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Ukraine and the U.S., but German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed such negotiations, stating that they yield no results and that Putin shows no inclination towards peace. The U.K.'s Wes Streeting acknowledged the need to avoid confrontation with Russia while remaining cognizant of the threat posed by it.
France's Catherine Vautrin pledged "total transparency" with the U.S., and E5 members agreed to collaborate concretely, focusing on arms production and interoperability. Vautrin emphasized the importance of producing more and faster equipment tailored to contemporary conflicts, while also planning for potential future conflicts. They highlighted that EU financial initiatives could facilitate this transition.
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