Ruptly
"EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas claimed Europe would 'never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine because we are on Ukraine's side', as she spoke with the media at a press briefing following informal talks with foreign ministers in Limassol on Thursday. "Today, we also discussed our own European core security interests regarding Russia. It is good that ministers had the chance to reflect, and we had really thorough discussions on what concessions Europe should ask from Moscow and what our red lines are," she said. "And one thing is very clear. Europe will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine because we are on Ukraine's side and we are defending our own core security interests," she added. She also repeated an earlier demand - about any limitations on Ukraine's army under a potential deal. "Limiting Ukraine's military while Russia rearms, which directly threaten European security... if there are gaps for Ukraine's army, there must be also limitations for Russia's," she said, somewhat confusingly. "When we look at the presence of Russian troops in countries such as Georgia and Moldova, it is clearly in Europe's interest that these forces are no longer stationed there," she added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was asked about those comments after she made them ahead of the talks - and replied: "I don’t bother discussing such idiotic statements!" Moscow has repeatedly said it is open to talks with the EU. The bloc has not so far chosen to appoint a negotiator. According to Western outlets, many within the EU are reportedly opposed to Kallas taking the role - with her seen as too 'hawkish' on Russia."
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