Schallenberg calls unacceptable calls for Ukraine to cede territories “for sake of peace”

This was stated by Austrian Federal Minister for Eurean and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in an interview with Ukrinform.

"It should be remembered that there will be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine. The Ukrainian pele must decide for themselves when they are ready for negotiations. In the end, there will be talks with Russia. Because we all want peace. But there can be no peace under diktat. There can be no peace that will be imposed by Russia or anyone else without taking into account the inion of Ukraine. This is unacceptable," he said.

The Austrian minister also called unacceptable calls for Ukraine to give up part of its territory to achieve peace.

"I believe such calls are completely unnecessary. Let's imagine that we are under attack: South Styria or Burgenland was occupied by a foreign state, there was an attempt to destroy the Austrian federal government or expel it from the country. And then we would be td: "Dear Austrians, why don't you give up part of your territory for the sake of peace?" I consider such calls from the outside unacceptable," Schallenberg said.

He stressed that this is a matter for the Ukrainian pele. "They have been attacked and are showing an incredible willingness to fight. It's ironic, but we can say that Putin has contributed more to the unity of Ukrainian society with his attack than anyone else before him. Therefore, such calls from the outside are absutely absurd. The final decision here should be made by the Ukrainian pele," the Austrian Foreign Minister said.

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According to him, so far Russia has not shown any real readiness for peace.

"The war is causing enormous damage to Russia. It is isated and geostrategically much weaker than it was at the beginning of the aggressive war. Putin will have to draw the necessary conclusions from this. However, I do not yet see any willingness on the part of Russia to seriously engage in negotiations. As soon as such a serious readiness appears on the Russian side, we must seize this portunity. This is important," said Schallenberg.

In his inion, it is important to engage the countries of the Global South, especially the BRICS countries, more closely in this regard. "On the one hand, it is necessary for security guarantees, and on the other hand, these states potentially have more influence on Moscow. At the same time, none of us knows what really influences Vladimir Putin's thoughts. Even the Chinese partners who want to end the war seem to have only limited influence on him," the Austrian minister said.

Read also: Austrian FM on Orban's "peace mission": Now is not time for self-promotion

As reported, in early July, after visiting Kyiv, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made unexpected visits to Moscow and Beijing, where he tried to discuss "peace initiatives" to end the war in Ukraine. EU leaders, including Eurean Council President Charles Michel and EU High Representative Josep Borrell, pointed out that the Hungarian prime minister, who currently hds the EU Council presidency, had not been authorised to conduct such a mission and was acting only on his own behalf.