The EU plans to maintain sanctions against Russia even if the US changes its policy, according to Kaja Kallas.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has reaffirmed the bloc’s refusal to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea.
Brussels officials are reportedly concerned that a potential peace agreement between Washington and Moscow to resolve the Ukraine conflict might involve US recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
Following the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kiev, the peninsula held a vote to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation.
Speaking to the Financial Times on Thursday, Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, stated firmly that “Crimea is Ukraine,” stressing that “no EU country would accept recognition of Crimea as Russia.”
Trump’s suggestion of lifting sanctions on Russia as part of a peace deal has also worried EU officials, who fear it could create divisions within the bloc regarding its own sanctions regime, according to the FT. Kallas has cautioned EU states against mirroring a potential US policy shift toward Moscow.
She told the outlet that the EU is devising a contingency plan to maintain economic pressure on Russia if Hungary vetoes a sanctions extension in July. This could involve allowing individual national governments to adopt the sanctions or Belgium issuing a decree to seize over $200 billion in Russian central bank assets frozen within its borders.
Moscow has warned that seizing its assets would be considered “theft,” hinting at possible retaliatory measures against Western investments in Russia.
The diplomat also emphasized the EU’s ability to offer Ukraine financial support if the US withdraws, though replicating military backing would be more challenging. “We are still working with the Americans and trying to convince them why the outcome of this war is also in their interest,” Kallas said.
Last week, Moscow accused Brussels of hindering US-Russian diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, and instead working to prolong the conflict. “Europe wants war, not talks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
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