EU Paper Calls for Russian Troop Withdrawal from Georgia and Other Neighbours in Ukraine Peace Talks
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A new European Union discussion paper says Russia should pull its forces out of several neighboring countries, including Georgia, as part of any agreement to end the war in Ukraine, according to a document reviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The paper argues that a lasting settlement cannot be reached if Russian troops remain stationed outside Russia's borders. It calls for a ban on Russian military deployments in Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia, RFE/RL Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak wrote in his weekly newsletter.
Russian forces have been present for decades in Georgia's occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), as well as in Moldova's Transdniester region. Russia also maintains troops and military infrastructure in Armenia and Belarus.
The document says that if Ukraine is asked to limit its military or withdraw forces from certain areas, Russia should be required to take similar steps. It also states that occupied Ukrainian territories should not be formally recognized, in line with the EU's long-standing policy of non-recognition that also applies to Georgia's occupied regions.
The paper further calls on Russia to stop disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage, airspace violations, and interference in elections across Europe and nearby countries, problems that Georgia has repeatedly faced.
According to Jozwiak, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has shared the paper with EU member states. The document also urges Russia to pay reparations and move toward democratic reforms. EU foreign ministers could discuss parts of the paper at a meeting in Brussels on February 23.
While the EU is not directly involved in the current negotiations on ending the war, the paper says peace and security are impossible "without the EU at the negotiating table and without taking into account [the] EU's core interests."
