It’s the Trap That Russia Has Laid for Us: Kalas on Moscow’s Demands Regarding Ukrainian Territories

This is precisely the trap that Russia has set for us: said Kayra Kalas, the head of European diplomacy, commenting on Moscow's demands regarding Ukrainian territories in an interview with the BBC.

“All the discussions about what Ukraine should concede, what compromises Ukraine is willing to make, forget that Russia has not made any concessions,” she added.

“If we find ourselves in that trap, if we pressure Ukraine for concessions, then the situation will repeat itself, because aggression will be rewarded,” Kalas concluded.

According to Kalas, Russian President Vladimir Putin received “everything he wanted” from the Alaska summit, being welcomed with honors, while the White House has not imposed new sanctions.

Kalas also commented on the negotiations regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. At this stage, there are still few “clear steps,” she noted.

“The most reliable security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army,” she said.

Following the negotiations involving Vladimir Zelensky and European leaders in Washington, several countries are preparing proposals on what security guarantees for Kyiv might look like.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already stated that the deployment of Western soldiers in Ukraine is unacceptable for Russia.