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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas judges that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a weaker position than ever. She made this analysis on Monday, following Putin's comments over the past weekend about a possible end to the war in Ukraine.
On the sidelines of the military parade in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that the war is "coming to an end" and that he is open to negotiating a new European security structure. Putin would like to see Gerhard Schroeder, the former German chancellor, appointed as mediator.
Is this really a sign of things to come?
EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas points in advance to Ukraine's growing reach deep into Russia and this year's austere Russian parade. "The dynamics of the war are changing," she argues. "Ukraine is in a much stronger position a year later."
Kremlin elaborates on Putin's statement
The Kremlin also stated Wednesday that the war in Ukraine is nearing an end. Wednesday it was responding to statements by President Vladimir Putin, who earlier indicated that "the conflict is coming to an end". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed American mediation efforts and reiterated that Russia is ready for an immediate conclusion. But only on the condition that Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky make the "right decisions" for them.
So the eternal ping-pong continues. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov again put the ball in Ukraine and Zelensky's camp: it can "stop at any time" if Kiev makes the right decisions. Such is the Kremlin's position.
European foreign ministers will exchange views on a joint negotiating position with Russia, including red lines and minimum demands on the Kremlin, at an informal meeting in Cyprus later this month.
©picture alliance / newscom | kremlin