The European Union’s foreign policy chief has cautioned that pressuring Ukraine to give up territory to Russia in exchange for peace would be a “trap” designed by Vladimir Putin.
Speaking in her first UK interview since EU leaders joined U.S. peace talks on Ukraine, Kaja Kallas told the BBC that allowing Russia to keep Ukrainian land would only strengthen Moscow’s position.
For more than a decade, Russia has fought to control Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, forcing over 1.5 million people to flee. Despite international pressure, Ukraine has repeatedly rejected proposals to cede the territory. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested “swapping territories” as part of negotiations.
Kallas, who is on the Kremlin’s wanted list, also stressed the need for “credible and robust” security guarantees for Ukraine. While no concrete commitments have yet been made, she emphasized that “the strongest security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army.”
Last week, EU leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and Finland met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, shortly after Trump hosted Putin in Alaska. Kallas criticized that meeting, saying Putin left with “everything he wanted,” including the easing of sanctions, which she argued encourages more aggression.
The EU has since prepared its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump has set a two-week deadline to assess progress in peace talks, warning of a change in approach if no results are seen.
Zelensky, however, doubts Putin’s willingness to negotiate, accusing Russia of deliberately avoiding a leaders’ meeting. He urged Western allies to define clear security guarantees within the next 10 days.
On Thursday, Russia carried out fresh airstrikes across Ukraine, hitting 11 locations, including Lviv near the Polish border. At least one person was killed and more than a dozen injured.
Several European leaders have voiced skepticism about Putin’s intentions. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said Putin “cannot be trusted,” while France’s Emmanuel Macron described him as “a predator” unlikely to seek real peace.
Zelensky insists he is ready to meet Putin “in any format” but says Moscow has yet to show serious interest in negotiations.