**EU Official Slams Putin’s Peace Mediation Claims, Urges Tighter Oil Cap**
Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted to mediate peace in the Middle East while continuing to launch brutal attacks on civilians, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said yesterday. Her comments came after a mass Russian strike on Kyiv killed at least 21 people and injured over 130.
**No Peace Mediator from Russia**
Kallas was blunt in her assessment of Putin’s credibility as a peace mediator. “Clearly, President Putin is not somebody who can talk about peace while we see actions like this,” she said during a briefing in Brussels. “He’s not a mediator that can really be considered. Russia cannot be a mediator if they don’t really believe in peace.”
**Russia’s Offer of Mediation Rejected**
Kallas’ comments follow Putin’s offer to mediate between Israel and Iran, which has been rejected by Israel. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Israel appeared unwilling to accept Russia’s offer.
**EU Leaders Question Moscow’s Neutrality**
EU leaders have also questioned Moscow’s neutrality given its deep military ties with Iran, which has supplied Russia with drones and missiles used in attacks on Ukraine. Kallas pointed to Iran’s role in enabling Russia’s attacks, saying “Iran has helped Russia do these attacks… their cooperation is working in this regard.”
**Urging the EU to Act**
Kallas urged the European Union to press forward with lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, even without U.S. support. She warned that Middle East tensions could otherwise drive prices up and boost Russia’s revenues.
**Lowering Oil Prices a Priority**
Her warning comes after global oil prices soared last week following an Israeli strike on Iran that raised fears of a broader regional conflict. Kallas emphasized the importance of lowering oil prices, saying “The whole idea of the oil price cap is to lower the prices… We shouldn’t end up in a situation where the crisis in the Middle East increases oil prices and makes Russia earn more… that would mean they can fund their war machine on a bigger scale.”
**EU Can Act Independently**
Kallas noted that most Russian crude flows through European-controlled waters, suggesting that the EU can act independently to lower the oil price ceiling. “Even if the Americans are not on board, we can still do it and have an impact,” she said.
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