EU’s Kallas: lasting peace impossible without Russian withdrawal from Georgia and Moldova

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has said that long-term peace in the region was impossible without the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories in Georgia and Moldova.

Speaking on the issue on Monday, Kallas said that Russia continued to occupy several territories and maintained military forces in both countries.

“Russia occupies multiple territories and its military forces are stationed in both Georgia and Moldova. Therefore, long-term peace is impossible without their withdrawal from these territories,” she said.

Kallas acknowledged that some described such demands as unrealistic, but argued that Russia’s own negotiating positions were equally detached from reality.

“Through negotiations, they are demanding territories they were unable to seize militarily. That is why such demands are necessary in order to maintain balance in the negotiation process and to refocus attention on the core issue - that Russia continues aggressive actions against neighbouring countries,” she added.