EU FMs to meet ahead of US-Russia summit
Brussels
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday a special video conference with the bloc's foreign ministers ahead of the planned US-Russia talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two presidents are set to meet on Friday in Alaska to discuss a possible solution to the Ukraine war after more than three years of conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited.
Kallas plans to discuss the next steps on Monday as 'Europe's core interests are at stake,' she said in a statement.
She said: 'Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine's and the whole of Europe's security.' Russia's aggression must not be rewarded, she said, adding that the temporarily Russian-occupied territories belong to Ukraine.
Kallas urged the US to use its influence to push Russia into serious negotiations, warning that Moscow would only cease aggression when it feels it can no longer continue.
In Ukraine and Europe alike, there are fears that the two leaders could agree to Ukraine permanently ceding territory to its neighbour.
Zelensky strictly rejects any territorial concessions and vehemently demands to be included in any talks on his country's future.
However, the Ukrainian president has said that he is confident in Trump's ability to bring about an end to the war.
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