The ceasefire announced by Moscow was a "hypocritical" move aimed at facilitating a military parade in Russia while Russian forces continued attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas made these remarks ahead of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
Kallas noted that while Ukraine adhered to the ceasefire, Russia failed to do so. "Ukraine followed the ceasefire, as it did with previous proposals made without preconditions. Russia, in fact, did not," Kallas stated. She emphasized that EU foreign ministers aim to progress on sanctions against individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, describing the situation as "horrible" and announcing that the EU would hold a high-level event dedicated to their return.
The European Union has consistently ramped up its restrictive measures against Moscow since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, targeting various sectors of the Russian economy and specific individuals. These discussions in Brussels come as part of a broader effort to maintain international pressure on the Kremlin. During the session, Kallas also rejected the possibility of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder acting as an EU representative in negotiations with Russia. She noted that Schröder has served as a high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies, making it clear why Moscow would prefer such a figure, but affirming that the EU must maintain its own independent diplomatic representation.
