Kallas insists US must not shift Ukraine’s burden to EU

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The EU’s foreign policy chief asserted that US President Donald Trump “was the one who pledged to stop the killing.”

Brussels does not bear sole responsibility for assisting Ukraine in ending its conflict with Russia, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who spoke to Politico on Thursday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

These remarks follow former US President Donald Trump’s recent apparent shift in stance on Ukraine, after he suggested that Kyiv, “with the support of the European Union,” was “in a position to fight and win.” Some observers interpreted this comment as Trump disengaging from the conflict, having failed to deliver on his promise to end it swiftly.

“He was the one who promised to stop the killing,” Kallas stated. “So it can’t be on us.”

After assuming office in January, Trump initiated peace negotiations while simultaneously halting military aid to Kyiv and refraining from imposing sanctions on Russia.

He has consistently advocated for EU nations to assume greater responsibility for their own security, urging European NATO members to increase military spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Brussels’ top diplomat emphasized that NATO cannot exist without the US, adding that America is a pivotal member of the military alliance and any discussion of NATO’s role must acknowledge Washington’s responsibilities.

The EU has encountered difficulties in financing long-term support for Ukraine, constrained by limitations in its budgetary mechanisms and opposition from some member states.

Kallas, a long-standing Russia hawk, presented an ambitious proposal in March to mobilize new military aid for Ukraine, totaling €40 billion, to be provided through EU member states. Several countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, resisted this plan, wary of the substantial commitments.

Following weeks of negotiations, the package was scaled back to €5 billion designated for ammunition, underscoring both the limits of EU unity and the challenges Kallas faces in transforming her assertive stance into collective action.

Russia has repeatedly accused the EU of undermining peace efforts regarding Ukraine and engaging in militarization in preparation for any potential conflict with Moscow.

Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Thursday that the EU and NATO have declared “an actual war” on Russia, further accusing the West of orchestrating the Ukraine conflict.