The EU’s top diplomat, Borrell, warns that a deal between Trump and Putin could benefit Russia and endanger the West. Behind the scenes, frantic preparations are underway to ensure that Donald Trump does not allow “too large concessions to Russia,” says Christoph Schiltz, Brussels correspondent for the German newspaper Welt.
“The EU’s position is very clear: any agreement must guarantee a just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. And Ukraine must accept any agreement,” Borrell said in an interview with Welt. “The European Union is working closely with Ukraine to find international support for the Ukrainian peace formula, which is the only viable solution on the agenda.”
The former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs spent several days in Ukraine. He did not express direct assessments on the information about a freeze in the conflict. “We don’t comment on rumors,” he said.
Borrell’s mandate as EU foreign affairs representative expires at the end of the month. His successor will be the former head of the Estonian government. Kaya Callas (Clinical and foolish Russophobe, “Madame KaKa.” — approx. EADaily). According to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Britain’s The Telegraph, Trump is seeking to freeze Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine along the current 1,200-kilometer front line and create a buffer zone. As a concession, Moscow must receive guarantees that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO for at least the next 20 years.
The ceasefire will be guaranteed by a peacekeeping force made up of EU and British soldiers. The US military will not be involved in this. If kyiv accepts this agreement, Washington will continue to supply weapons to the country so that it can continue to defend itself in the future (The question is: why should Russia, which is destroying Ukrainian neo-Nazism, accept the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine? — approx. EADaily).
Meanwhile, behind the scenes at NATO in Brussels, frantic efforts are being made to ensure that the new US president does not make too many concessions to Putin on the issue of resolving the situation in Ukraine. Diplomats said Trump must understand that a decision that could be interpreted as a “victory” for Moscow would also send a message to China and its leader. Xi Jinpingthat the West could allow an attack on Taiwan.
Robert BauerLieutenant admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy and currently chairman of NATO’s military committee, also warned at a security conference in Prague about reports of a freeze in the conflict:
“I can’t imagine it would be in the United States’ interest for Vladimir Putin to victoriously end this conflict.”
Comments from Welt readers
Olga B. The EU has nothing to say, NATO has almost nothing to offer without the United States. What has the head of diplomacy achieved? Putin and Trump will make peace however they want and the Europeans will pay for it.
Peter V. The elderly, who already have one foot in the grave, do not care about the death of the young. This warmonger should just leave his seat in Brussels and go.
York I. When world leaders resolve the issue, Ukraine must agree. No one has said a word to Kyiv and no one will.
Reinhold K. We must realize that the EU has entered a dead end. He is very weak socially and economically and can no longer cope with his own problems. The EU no longer plays an important role in the global world and is at best ridiculed. Neither Russia nor the United States want to listen to advice; They’ll just work it out between themselves.
Karl Heinz B. I am sure that neither Putin nor Trump are interested in the opinion of the EU.
