Morning opening: Don't walk into a Russian 'trap' on talks, EU's chief diplomat warns
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, cautioned against falling into a Russian “trap” by concentrating on personalities rather than substantive issues in potential negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Her remarks were made as the bloc’s foreign ministers convened in Cyprus for informal discussions to determine the EU’s primary demands in any peace negotiations.
Recently, several EU leaders have speculated on who might lead potential talks with Russia, with various names, including Kallas herself, being suggested. Finland’s president Alexander Stubb was also considered an early favorite.
Speaking early on the day of the talks, Kallas acknowledged that progress is limited at present but emphasized the importance of avoiding a focus on personalities:
“It’s a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they are already picking who is suitable, who is not. Let’s not walk into that trap.
Negotiations are always a team effort. You have good cops, you have bad cops, you have a strategy [on] how you go to the table, so that is why the substance is much more important.”
Kallas stressed that the EU must be represented in any future talks, noting,
“if you think about what Russia is interested in, lifting the sanctions, for example, it’s a European decision.”
The former Estonian prime minister also strongly condemned Russia’s repeated threats of further strikes on Kyiv.
“This is what Russia does. Because it’s not really gaining ground on the battlefield, what they are doing now is really increasing the terrorist attacks, because you can’t really describe it in other ways, creating fear inside the society.
It hasn’t worked for four years, and I don’t think that it’s going to work now.”
Additional statements from other ministers are expected throughout the day, culminating in a press conference summarizing the talks in the early afternoon.
Separately, Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, is in Brussels today. Notably, his visit begins with bilateral meetings with Belgium’s prime minister, Bart de Wever, and NATO’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, rather than the anticipated discussions on accessing frozen EU funds. Those talks are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, suggesting ongoing negotiations regarding the resolution of longstanding issues related to reforms from the Orbán era.
Romania’s Rumen Radev is also in Brussels, focusing on EU funds and efforts to salvage some that remain unspent before their expiration in August.
Elsewhere, attention remains on the unusual May heatwave persisting across much of western Europe.
It is Thursday, 28 May 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
Zelenskyy confirms plans for 'major defence package' deal with Sweden
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed plans for a “major defence package” with Sweden to be announced during his visit today.
“We are preparing a major defence package for Ukraine and a strong step regarding Gripen fighter jets, which will definitely make our combat aviation more effective.”
He is expected to hold a press conference with Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson later this afternoon, where further details are anticipated.
NATO's German-Netherlands Corps to take command role in Estonia, Latvia, Germany says
Germany announced that NATO’s German-Netherlands Corps will assume the role of a tactical headquarters for Estonia and Latvia as part of the alliance’s plans around mid-year, according to .
The German Ministry stated,
“The deployment of an additional tactical headquarters to the region strengthens the cohesion of NATO and supports the deterrence of Russia.”
They added,
“By establishing a second headquarters in the region … Germany and the Netherlands are demonstrating their readiness and capability to assume responsibility for deterrence and the defence of NATO’s eastern flank,”particularly amid escalating tensions with Russia.
Russian foreign minister dismisses 'idiotic' demand to 'mirror' army restrictions in any Ukraine deal
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s comments on potential EU demands towards Moscow as “idiotic.”
Before the Cyprus meeting, Kallas had suggested that since Russia seeks limits on the Ukrainian army, a similar requirement should be imposed on Moscow.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Sweden for rumoured talks on air defence, fighter jets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Sweden today, where an announcement on air defence is expected, according to Sweden’s government and AFP reports.
The Aftonbladet newspaper reported that Sweden plans to donate JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets of the older C and D models to Ukraine and initiate negotiations for the sale of the more advanced E model to Kyiv.
The two countries signed a letter of intent in October 2025 regarding Kyiv’s purchase of 100 to 150 Gripen E aircraft.
Zelenskyy and Kristersson will hold a joint press conference later today, with further updates anticipated.
'We need to find someone who does not need Nobel Peace Prize,' ministers joke about Russia negotiator
Foreign ministers expressed mixed views on appointing a single EU negotiator for Ukraine.
Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated it was a necessary step, saying the EU should prepare accordingly.
“The EU should not get ready.”(Note: original quote likely intended as "should get ready")
She emphasized the need for the EU to position itself to negotiate beyond its own interests and appoint a chief negotiator.
Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel remarked,
“There are so many good people to take the job, and what would be important is that it’s not just … someone who is a neighbour of Russia,”but rather someone more distanced from the conflict.
He suggested,
“Maybe a triad of three people – head of states, minister of foreign affairs, former prime ministers? Maybe ex-politicians are less scared about the results? We need to find someone who does not need a Nobel Peace Prize,”adding a note of humor.
Eastern flank leaders, including Lithuania’s Kestutis Budrys and Estonia’s Margus Tsahkna, supported Kallas’s stance.
Budrys stated,
“This is not a time when we are discussing who is going to have the negotiations. We have to discuss what we are doing to put additional pressure on Russia.”
Tsahkna echoed Kallas’s warning, calling the discussion a “trap.”
He also referenced Bettel’s Nobel Prize comment, saying,
“Whoever would like to go right now – this guy is not going to have a Nobel Prize, because there won’t be any serious talks.”
