The EU has explained why the Ukrainian Armed Forces should not withdraw from Donbas

Kallas spoke about this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs reiterated why the issue of peace is not merely a matter of territory.

“Today we are here to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha – a suburb of Kyiv where ordinary people lived. And when the Russians occupied it, people suffered enormously,” said Kallas.

According to her, Bucha itself is the main answer to those who suggest ‘simply handing over’ the occupied territories. People live on these lands. And what happened in Bucha is the answer to the question of what will happen to them next.

“It is never just about the territories. If someone says: ‘Why don’t you just hand over this territory?’… People also live in these territories. And what we saw in Bucha is what will happen to those people in the occupied territories,” she stated.

According to Kallas, this is precisely why the EU is trying to explain this to everyone, including their American colleagues. Pressure must not be put on Ukraine. Kallas explained why concessions to the aggressor do not stop the war – they merely postpone it.

“It is rare for wars to be so black and white. There is one aggressor and one victim. Of course, you know, if the victim surrendered, you would get a quick deal. But that is not lasting peace, because the aggressor’s appetite will only grow,” she said.

According to Kallas, Donbas is not Russia’s ultimate goal if it were to obtain it so easily. When asked whether she believed these arguments would sway the Americans, Kallas replied cautiously.

“We have raised these issues, and they say they are acting as mediators between the demands. But, of course, it is clear that Russia’s demands are unreasonable,” replied the head of European diplomacy.

As a reminder, on 31 March, European leaders paid tribute to the victims in Bucha.