The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, sent a document to member states outlining the steps that, according to Brussels, Russia must take to achieve peace with Ukraine. Key requirements include reducing troop numbers, withdrawing forces from neighboring countries, paying reparations, and implementing democratic reforms, reports Radio Free Europe.
Source: “Espreso”
The document, titled “Europe’s Core Interests in Ensuring a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace and Security on the Continent,” emphasizes that lasting peace is impossible without EU participation in negotiations and consideration of its core interests. The EU stresses that achieving peace should not rely solely on concessions from Ukraine — Moscow must also take concrete actions.
EU requirements for Russia include:
- Withdrawal of troops and demilitarization of occupied areas;
- Refusal to recognize “de jure” the annexed Ukrainian territories;
- Cessation of disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and interference in elections of European countries;
- No nuclear weapons in Belarus and prohibition of Russian military presence in neighboring states (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia);
- Compliance with international law, access for international investigators to crime sites, and no general amnesty for war crimes;
- Payment of reparations to Ukraine, European countries, and companies, as well as compensation for environmental damages;
- Political changes within Russia: holding free elections under international supervision, releasing political prisoners, returning deported civilians and children, media freedom, and repeal of laws restricting independent media and civil society;
- Cooperation in investigating the deaths of opposition politicians Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov.
The document will be discussed at the level of EU ambassadors, after which specific provisions may be submitted for consideration by the bloc’s foreign ministers.