Kallas: EU must remain vigilant and not give Russia what it wants, as its appetite will only grow

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat for foreign affairs and security, on Tuesday warned the bloc cannot return to normal relations with Russia in its current form, as doing so could only fuel the aggressor’s appetite.

Kallas made the remarks in response to a statement by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who suggested that European officials privately support his idea of normalising relations with Russia.

“I was present behind closed doors during leaders’ meetings and I do not see such an attitude,” Kallas said.

She emphasised that any talks with Russia must be preceded by a clear agreement among EU member states on what issues can even be discussed with the aggressor.

“If we simply return to the usual rhythm, we will only get more war. We have seen this before, so we must be very vigilant and not give Russia what it wants, because its appetite will only grow,” she said.

The comments came after De Wever stated that the EU cannot economically strangle Russia or arm Ukraine to victory without US support. He proposed that the EU reach an agreement with Russia - normalising relations and resuming active imports of Russian energy, a suggestion that was criticised even by members of Belgium’s governing coalition. De Wever later clarified that he supports normalising relations with Moscow only after the war against Ukraine has ended.