EU's Kallas criticises Putin's 'very cynical' ceasefire calls, rejects suggestion of Schröder as mediator on Ukraine
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas strongly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, describing them as "very cynical." She highlighted that while Putin called for a ceasefire "to protect his parade," Russian forces continued to attack civilians.
As a former Estonian prime minister, Kallas also expressed reservations about the idea of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder acting as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict.
If we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, that would not be very wise.
And second, I think Gerhard Schröder has been the high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies, so it’s clear why Putin wants him to be the person so that actually he would be sitting on both sides of the table.
Kallas further warned about broader Russian influence operations in Europe, stating,
Clearly, our adversaries are not sleeping; so clearly, they want to increase the influence in Europe.
She pointed to examples such as Russian participation in sports organizations and cultural events like the Venice Biennale, where Russians have been allowed to participate as if the conflict had not occurred.
We unfortunately already see this in sports organisations, where, you know, Russians are let to compete like nothing has happened. And there are discussions there. We also saw this Venice Biennale where they are there like nothing has happened. So clearly they are working all the time and we have to be vigilant as well.
Poland investigates how wanted fugitive former minister left Hungary for US
Poland’s former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted by Polish authorities on over 20 criminal charges, moved to the United States over the weekend. Ziobro had been residing in Hungary under political asylum granted by the previous government led by Viktor Orbán.
Ziobro was a prominent figure in the Law and Justice (PiS) government and played a central role in controversial judiciary reforms criticized for undermining judicial independence and the rule of law.
He faces 26 charges, including allegations of running a criminal group and abusing his position by misusing resources from a fund intended to assist victims of crime. Ziobro denies all allegations and claimed asylum in Hungary in January.
His departure from Budapest coincided with the inauguration of Hungary’s new pro-European government under Péter Magyar, who publicly stated intentions to revoke the asylum granted to Ziobro and extradite him back to Poland.
Ziobro confirmed his location in the US, where he has been announced as a "political commentator."
I am in the United States, I arrived yesterday,he said, adding that the US is "an extremely complex, beautiful country, the strongest democracy in the world," and Poland’s "ally, the guarantor of Poland’s security."
Last year, Ziobro had his Polish passports revoked amid the ongoing investigation, but due to his asylum status in Hungary, he was issued an international refugee passport.
These are well-known procedures associated with granting a citizen the right of asylum, [when] one also uses appropriate documents that allow them to move around the world. I have had such a document all the time and I used it effectively,he told Republika.
The so-called Geneva passport requires a visa to enter the US, raising questions about whether the broadcaster with close ties to Donald Trump and the US Republican Party assisted Ziobro in obtaining a US visa.
Despite being wanted by Poland under domestic law, a European Arrest Warrant has not yet been issued by courts.
Ziobro stated his willingness to face any court, including American courts, which he described as independent.
If they want to bring an extradition case, go ahead; as prosecutor general [in the past], I remember my battles in extradition cases involving the US, and it is a demanding procedure,he said.
He reiterated his belief that he would not receive a fair trial in Poland, suggesting political interference by Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
That’s the advantage of this situation, this American freedom,he said.
You can fight [in court] on fair terms, before an independent American court, and certainly, if such a moment comes, I will do so and not have a single bit of fear that Donald Tusk will have an influence on the case by handpicking a judge.
Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki stated on Monday that Polish authorities are investigating how Ziobro arrived in the US and are seeking serious discussions with American counterparts.
We very much hope that this matter will not cast a shadow over … traditionally good bilateral relations between Poland and America,he said.
Bosacki also revealed that the US ambassador recently assured Poland that the United States had no intention of hosting Ziobro.
Separately, Poland’s public prosecutor’s office is investigating the circumstances of Ziobro’s travel to the US to determine if anyone assisted him in evading criminal responsibility, thereby obstructing the investigation into alleged irregularities.
Everything suggests the suspect, Zbigniew Ziobro, has chosen to continue evading the Polish justice system,prosecutor’s office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak told a press conference.
Prosecutors plan to request information from the US regarding whether Ziobro or his deputy Marcin Romanowski, who also claimed asylum in Budapest and reportedly left recently, were granted US visas.
If confirmed, prosecutors intend to seek extradition from the US, though they cautioned it would be a complex and lengthy legal process.
Amazingly, he said the extradition process was last updated in 2006, when Ziobro was… the justice minister.
'Schröder won't be representing Europe,' Estonian foreign minister insists
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also dismissed Putin’s suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder could coordinate talks with Ukraine to secure a peace deal.
Gerhard Schröder is a Putin idea. I think they are very close. Gerhard Schröder won’t be representing ,Tsahkna said upon arrival for an EU meeting in Brussels.
Germany shoots down idea of ex chancellor Schröder as Russia's mediator on Ukraine
German Europe Minister Gunther Krichbaum rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal that Gerhard Schröder serve as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict.
Schröder, 82, has maintained a pro-Russian stance, diverging from most Western leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He previously held significant roles in Russian energy projects, including the Nord Stream gas pipelines and a board seat at Russian oil company Rosneft, which he relinquished in 2022.
On Saturday, Putin suggested Schröder as a key negotiator to help end the conflict.
Speaking in Brussels, Krichbaum said,
As you know, a mediator must be accepted by both sides, and this seems to be noticeably lacking here.
He added that Schröder has not demonstrated neutrality or the ability to act as an honest broker, given his close ties to Putin.
Close friendships may be legitimate everywhere in the world, but they do not contribute to being perceived as an honest mediating partner.
With Hungary’s new government now in place, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed hope to advance new sanctions on Israeli settlers, which had been previously blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
I expect political agreement on the sanctions on violent settlers, hopefully we will get there,Kallas told reporters.
Morning opening: 'New momentum' gives Europe hope on Ukraine
EU foreign ministers convened in Brussels to discuss developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Western Balkans.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described a "new feeling of momentum" as he arrived for talks.
We have a new reality on the battlefield. Ukraine became stronger after the most difficult winter. … We stabilised the front and we are also in the position that we closed the sky … [can] shoot down up to 90% of aerial objects by which Russians attack us.
Sybiha also noted some "very interesting developments in Russia, not only in the economy," which Ukraine is monitoring closely.
Despite these developments, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s claims that the war could be ending soon, viewing them as attempts to mislead.
Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže commented,
We believe that when we see it in action. For now, even during the so-called ceasefire that he begged for, we have not really seen the cessation of hostilities. So, it’s premature to, to really suggest something like that.
Sweden’s Maria Malmer Stenergard acknowledged Ukraine’s strengthening position and Russia’s weakening state.
It’s difficult for them to recruit soldiers, and we saw the[ir] ‘big victory parade’ that was a very small victory parade, and there was no military hardware display at all, because the Kremlin was afraid of Ukrainian drones.
Several Ukraine-related meetings are scheduled, including Sybiha’s participation in NATO talks and a forum on Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is also expected to visit Kyiv.
EU ministers will also address issues concerning the Middle East and the Western Balkans.
Additional monitoring will continue on other European developments, including a virus outbreak on a cruise ship in Tenerife.
It is Monday, 11 May 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
