EU Seeks Russian Troop Withdrawal from Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and Transnistria as Part of Ukraine Deal

The European Union is seeking the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and Transnistria as part of a potential peace agreement on Ukraine.

The proposal is outlined in a document distributed to EU member states by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and reviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Brussels is calling for reciprocal steps from Moscow: if Ukraine agrees to reduce the size of its armed forces, Russia would be expected to follow suit.

The list of demands includes the withdrawal of Russian troops from neighboring countries, including the removal of nuclear weapons from the territory of Belarus.

The European Union is also calling for reparations and the demilitarization of occupied territories, without legally recognizing them as part of Russia.

The document also calls for revoking any amnesty for war crimes and granting international investigators access to crime scenes.

Regarding reparations, the text states that “Russia must provide compensation and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine for the damage caused to European states and European companies, as well as for the environmental harm it has inflicted.”

As for the demands outlined in the document presented, European officials describe them as maximalist.

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One EU diplomat noted that Europe is thus “responding in kind to Russia’s maximalist demands toward Ukraine.”

Another European official stressed, “Achieving peace does not depend solely on whether Ukraine makes concessions. We must also discuss what Russia has to do…”

Some parts of the document are expected to be discussed at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on February 23.

Due to security risks, the EU is considering a ban on entry for Russian citizens who participate in the war against Ukraine.