The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that if negotiations with Russia over Ukraine begin, Brussels will, among other things, raise the issue of withdrawing Russian troops from the territories of Georgia and Moldova. Kallas said this while speaking to journalists in Cyprus, where an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers is taking place.
“Back in February, I presented a document listing all the points I was able to formulate. Starting with the requirement that Russia must genuinely abide by the international agreements it has committed itself to, including the obligation not to attack neighboring states and to respect their sovereignty. But, of course, there are other issues – for example, if concessions in the form of military restrictions are demanded of Ukraine, then similar restrictions must be mirrored for Russia, if provided for by the agreement.
“And, of course, there are broader issues. If we think about Russian troops in countries like Georgia and Moldova, it is also in the interest of European security that these troops are not present there and that they do not interfere in elections in various countries.”
According to Kallas, “of course, this is a maximalist approach.” At the same time, the European Commissioner emphasized that Moscow’s approach so far has also consisted of putting forward maximalist demands.
As a reminder, there are no Russian military bases on the territories of Georgia and Moldova controlled by official Tbilisi and Chisinau. Nevertheless, Russian troops are stationed in the occupied territories of Georgia – Abkhazia and South Ossetia – as well as in the unrecognized Transnistrian republic.