Medvedev calls Kallas "stupid" and denies EU was invited to talks

Medvedev's crude reaction to statements on the peace process

Dmitry Medvedev, who holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, publicly commented on the European Union's intentions to participate in the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. In his post on the Max platform, he categorically denied that the European side had been invited to the negotiation process.

Medvedev separately focused on the person of Kaja Kallas, who is the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council expressed himself about her in an extremely rude form, calling her "stupid". This reaction was a response to Kallas's previous statements, in which she justified the necessity of her representation in the peace process.

Medvedev's argumentation: personal qualities instead of negotiating position

Medvedev emphasised that Kallas's absence from the negotiating table is explained not by her tough position, but by other reasons. According to him, the European representative is not wanted in this role due to personal characteristics.

«Кая цитує Громико, пише, що має представляти Євросоюз і що "росіяни не хочуть її бачити" в цій ролі. Її взагалі ніхто не хоче, але не тому, що вона "жорстка переговорниця", а тому, що вона просто дурна. Та й узагалі, ЄС поки що нікого на переговори не запрошував» (Kaja quotes Gromyko, writes that she is to represent the European Union and that "Russians do not want to see her" in this role. No one wants her at all, but not because she is a "tough negotiator", but because she is simply stupid. And generally, the EU has not invited anyone to the talks yet), Medvedev stressed.

Kaja Kallas's position: Europeans decide who represents them

Previously, Kaja Kallas publicly stated that she is the one who should represent Europe in the peace talks on Ukraine. According to her, EU member states have effectively agreed to her candidacy to represent the bloc's joint position in the sphere of foreign policy and security.

She acknowledged that Russia does not want to see her among the participants of the negotiations, but emphasised that Moscow has no right to decide who will represent the European Union. Kallas explained the Kremlin's reluctance to see strong representatives of the other side as a desire to achieve the fulfilment of Russia's maximum demands.

«Росіяни не хочуть бачити на протилежному боці нікого сильного, оскільки прагнуть домогтися виконання своїх максимальних вимог — як вони це робили завжди» (Russians do not want to see anyone strong on the opposite side, as they strive to achieve the fulfilment of their maximum demands — as they have always done), she noted.

Moscow's pressure tactics

According to the EU representative, the Russian tactic is to first make threats and ultimatums, apply force, and then wait for proposals to yield to Moscow's demands to appear in the West. In her opinion, Russian appetites grow each time.