Russia's 'Maximalist Demands' Cannot Be Met With 'Minimalist Response,' EU's Kallas Says

Ukraine Russia's 'Maximalist Demands' Cannot Be Met With 'Minimalist Response,' EU's Kallas Says By Zoriana Stepanenko March 04, 2026 18:45 CET Russia's 'Maximalist Demands' Cannot Be Met With 'Minimalist Response,' EU's Kallas Says Share Share Print WARSAW -- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the bloc may be open to direct talks with Moscow on trying to help settle the war in Ukraine but Moscow will have to temper its "maximalist" demands to pave the way for negotiations. Both the EU and individual European nations have failed to secure a seat at the negotiation table, with the United States locked in talks with Kyiv and Moscow for over a year. And while the talks have resulted in exchange of prisoners and there are indications the two parties are inching closer to a settlement, few believe in an imminent breakthrough that likely would result in Ukraine de facto conceding several territories. The prospect of a settlement over the heads of European countries has prompted several leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to push for the need of a special European envoy to talk to Moscow. Names such as current Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his predecessor, Sauli Niinisto, have been floated for the role, according to European diplomats speaking to RFE/RL under the condition of anonymity. Kallas on Ukraine-Russia by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:01:06 0:00 Speaking to RFE/RL in Warsaw in an interview on March 4, Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said she is ready to be the EU's negotiator and is "ready to do it if that's necessary." "But at the moment, it is not at the point where we are. The question is, what do we require?” Kallas, who has been a vocal critic of Russia -- both as EU foreign policy chief and previously as Estonian prime minister -- has been on the Kremlin's "wanted list" since 2024. She circulated a discussion paper to EU capitals in February with several demands to make of Moscow in any potential future negot...