European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas delivered a serious message as she spoke to reporters in Brussels, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Speaking as foreign ministers gathered to discuss the ongoing conflict and other international crises, Kallas emphasized that the burden of compromise in peace negotiations must fall on Russia, not Ukraine, and reiterated the European Union’s commitment to supporting Kyiv while maintaining pressure on Moscow.
Four years into its war, Moscow has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 23, 2026
The pressure in the peace talks seems to be falling on Ukraine. But if we want this war to stop and any peace to last, we need to see concessions from Russia.
It’s not Ukraine’s army that is… pic.twitter.com/5TIuvPStuP
Kallas framed the war as a battle not just of military force but of narratives, describing it as “cognitive warfare” affecting public perception in Europe and beyond. She outlined the discussions that the EU is conducting, including strategies to strengthen collective resilience against disinformation campaigns and ways to maintain pressure on Russia while supporting Ukraine. “Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of this horrible war,” she said. “The pressure so far has been on Ukraine when it comes to the peace talks, but it’s clear that it has to be on Russia’s side because they are the aggressor in this war. If we want this war to stop, if we want this not to go any further, then we also need to see concessions from the Russian side.”
Kallas stressed that limitations on Ukraine’s military must be matched by similar constraints on Russia’s forces, which she identified as the primary obstacle to lasting peace. “The size of the Russian army is, of course, up to discussion after ceasefire in Syria, but the point is that if there are limitations on the Ukrainian army, there should also be limitations on the Russian army because they are actually the problem here,” she said. She also underscored that the EU wants to participate as a negotiator with Russia but that the key focus should be on the concessions Russia is willing to make rather than on who delivers them.
The EU has been attempting to advance its 20th sanctions package against Russia, which Kallas described as central to weakening Moscow’s military capabilities and economic resilience. Announced earlier in February, the package targets Russia’s energy sector, military-industrial complex, financial institutions, and key individuals responsible for war crimes or propagandistic activities. Kallas highlighted that the sanctions are designed to make the cost of continued aggression high for Moscow while demonstrating that the Russian economy and military are not invincible. “Russia continues to answer diplomacy with missiles. We are determined to make that choice painfully expensive,” she said. The package includes restrictions on energy exports, maintenance of LNG tankers and icebreakers, bans on critical military technologies, and measures to block cash flows to support the Kremlin’s war effort.
Russia continues to answer diplomacy with missiles.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 6, 2026
We are determined to make that choice painfully expensive.
Today, we present our 20th sanctions package.
Sanctions severely hurt Russia’s economy. And every sanction chips away at its capacity for war.
Moscow is not…
She addressed ongoing challenges in reaching unanimous support for the 20th sanctions package, noting resistance from some EU member states, particularly Hungary. Kallas emphasized that efforts are continuing to persuade blocking countries to adopt the measures, and that the sanctions are designed to respond directly to Russian aggression rather than unrelated domestic disputes.
During the press briefing, Kallas also discussed EU efforts in other conflict zones. She addressed the situation in the Middle East, noting ongoing initiatives to support peace processes in Gaza and the potential for European Union policing missions to assist in disarming Hamas and strengthening Palestinian security institutions. Kallas also referenced developments in northeast Syria, the fragile ceasefire in that country, and the need for inclusive governance and reconciliation, emphasizing that the EU is prepared to contribute to institution building and high-level political dialogue.
Regarding Russia’s wider aggression beyond Ukraine, Kallas pointed to the occupation of territories in Georgia and Moldova. She said that a long-term peace would require Russia to withdraw from all occupied areas, framing these demands as a way to balance negotiations and highlight Russia’s role as the aggressor. She criticized Moscow for making unrealistic demands in territories it does not control and stressed that addressing these actions is essential to curbing future conflicts.
Kallas expressed skepticism about near-term breakthroughs in the peace process, cautioning against overly optimistic projections. She contrasted her position with other commentators who have suggested possible summits between Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. President Donald Trump. “I don’t share this optimism because the negotiators on the Russian side are not really serious and are not willing to talk about anything political,” she said. She reiterated that pressure has largely been applied to Ukraine to make concessions, but such an approach will not produce lasting peace.
Kallas concluded her remarks by reiterating the EU’s overarching position: that Moscow has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives four years into the war, that Ukraine’s army is not the obstacle to peace, and that meaningful concessions must come from Russia for any sustainable resolution. In a post shared ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, she wrote, “The pressure in the peace talks seems to be falling on Ukraine. But if we want this war to stop and any peace to last, we need to see concessions from Russia. It’s not Ukraine’s army that is the obstacle to peace, Russia’s army is.”
