EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she would answer the phone if Russian President Vladimir Putin or Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called, but opposes opening negotiations with Moscow on Russia’s terms.

Axar.az reports that Kallas told Finnish broadcaster Yle that Europe currently cannot act as a neutral mediator between Ukraine and Russia because the EU supports Ukraine in the war.

She criticized U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their efforts to broker peace, saying Russia has traditionally used negotiations to make maximal demands and secure concessions from the West.

“If you want to end wars quickly, you should pressure the victim to give up what it is defending, its land and its people. It is an easy way. But it is never a path to a just and lasting peace,” Kallas said.

She said the EU should make clear that issues Russia seeks to negotiate with the United States are in many cases subject to European decisions, including the fate of frozen Russian assets.

“Russian demands are maximal. In response, we should state our own maximal demands so that the negotiating position is balanced,” Kallas said.

Asked whether she would answer a call from Putin or Lavrov, Kallas replied: “Of course I would talk if there is an opportunity.”

She noted that she had previously sat at the same table with Lavrov at international meetings and directly presented him with the EU’s position.