The European Union plans to ask Russia to withdraw its troops from the Transnistrian region as part of a possible peace deal in Ukraine, according to a consultation document distributed to member states by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and seen by Radio Free Europe.
The document, titled “Europe’s Fundamental Interests in Ensuring Comprehensive, Fair and Sustainable Peace and Security on the Continent”, presents Brussels’ position on the conditions that Moscow must respect, reports IPN.
In addition to the withdrawal of military forces from the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, the EU is asking Russia to also withdraw its troops from Georgia, Armenia and Belarus. Furthermore, the EU is demanding Russia to pay war reparations, demilitarize the occupied territories in Ukraine, renounce their de jure recognition, and cease hybrid attacks on Europe.
A separate section is dedicated to the internal political changes in Russia. The European Union calls for the organization of free elections with the participation of international observers, the release of political prisoners, the return of deported citizens, the repeal of the law on so-called “foreign agents”, and support in investigating the assassinations of politicians Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny.
At the same time, the community bloc emphasizes that continental security is impossible without the EU’s participation at the peace negotiations table. In this regard, the creation of the role of the EU’s special representative for relations with Russia is being discussed.
According to Radio Free Europe, some proposals are expected to be presented to the EU foreign ministers for discussion on February 23. However, diplomats emphasize that Moscow has so far rejected the key points of a possible agreement, including compensatory payments and the deployment of foreign forces in western Ukraine.