The head of European diplomacy on Putin's possible trip to Budapest: “No, it's not nice” / Lithuania's tough position: There is only one place for him
The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas. PHOTO: Raa/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that it is “not nice” for Russian President Vladimir Putin to go to EU member state Hungary for talks on Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Her reaction came after US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would soon meet Putin in Budapest.
Kaja Kallas: “No, it's not nice”
Kallas told reporters ahead of Monday's meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg that Trump's efforts to bring peace were welcome, but that it was important that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also meet the Russian leader.
“America has a lot of power to pressure Russia to come to the negotiating table, and if they're going to use it, then of course it's good for Russia to stop this war,” Kallas said.
Putin faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, from which Hungary is in the process of withdrawing.
“As far as Budapest is concerned, no, it's not nice … to see a person wanted by the ICC come to a European country,” Kallas said, adding that “the question is whether there will be any result” of the meeting.
Kallas also said he expected the 19th package of sanctions against Russia to be passed this week, but said the approval would not take place on Monday.
“Russia only understands the language of force. It only negotiates when put under pressure. That's why we are working to pass the 19th sanctions package this week,” she said.
Lithuania: “The only place for Putin in Europe is in The Hague”
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said there was no place for Putin in any European capital.
“The only place for Putin in Europe (is) in The Hague, in front of the tribunal, not in any of our capitals,” he said ahead of the meeting in Luxembourg.
The Foreign Affairs Council taking place in Luxembourg on Monday is chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
EU foreign ministers will discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine after an informal exchange of views with Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sîbiga, who will attend the meeting in person.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Ţoiu, is also at the meeting of heads of diplomacy from the member states of the European Union.
