Putin Has No Veto Over European Security, EU’s Kallas Says

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin lacks the authority to veto decisions on European security. During a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Warsaw, Kallas affirmed that any security architecture agreement without European participation would not be effective. She stressed that Ukraine must be integrated into Europe’s existing security framework, which includes both NATO and the European Union.

Kallas emphasized that the EU's involvement is crucial in various areas, such as security guarantees, sanctions, reconstruction, and Ukraine's potential accession to the EU. She firmly supported Ukraine and stated that any agreement to end the war must prevent Russia from utilizing a ceasefire to rearm and launch another attack.

Kallas presented a document outlining key demands on Moscow to EU foreign ministers, which should serve as a basis for negotiations. These demands include rejecting Russia's claims to occupied Ukrainian territories, holding Moscow accountable for war crimes, violations of international law, and the destruction caused, ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, ending Russia's sabotage activities, and placing no restrictions on the size of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Kallas highlighted that Europe already has a security architecture, with NATO and the EU playing their respective roles. She reiterated that Russia has repeatedly violated agreements maintaining the current security system. Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed agreement with Russia, Kallas emphasized that Europe would not implement an agreement without its participation, as decisions on sanctions and frozen Russian assets fall within EU jurisdiction.

She referred to previous failed attempts to reach agreements without European involvement, such as the Anchorage understanding discussed during the Trump-Putin meeting. Kallas stressed the importance of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, but emphasized the need for more equal conditions at the negotiating table, as pressure has primarily been directed at Ukraine, despite Russia being the aggressor.