Kallas calls snap meeting of EU foreign ministers on Ukraine on Monday

The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that any deal between the US and Russia should involve Ukraine and the EU and convened a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

“The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security,” Kallas said.

The meeting is set to be held virtually on Monday afternoon and Kallas said ministers would also review developments in the Middle East and Gaza.

Kallas said that international law “is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine” and warned that a negotiated settlement must not set the stage for further aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance or Europe.

It comes after Trump said Friday that he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy has warned that any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must include Kyiv.

“Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work,” he said.

On Sunday, EU leaders released a statement including President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President von der Leyen and President Stubb reiterating that “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”

The statement also said that “international borders must not be changed by force.” adding that the current frontline should be “the starting point of negotiations.”

A Russian ceasefire proposal has suggested trading the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk for a full ceasefire.

Ukrainian and European officials have reportedly responded to Russia’s ceasefire proposal with a counterproposal.

The proposal, presented to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, reiterated Ukraine and Europe should be involved in any negotiations held with Russia, while also demanding a ceasefire be implemented before further steps are taken.

It was put forward in a meeting with top US officials in the UK on Saturday, according to the officials.