EU's Kallas: Europe Must Be Involved in Ukraine Peace Talks

The European Union must have a seat at the table for peace negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told the European Newsroom. The former Estonian prime minister emphasized that the war’s outcome will significantly impact Europe and that a resolution is impossible without European and Ukrainian participation, CE Report quotes Agerpres

Kallas also highlighted the importance of strong transatlantic ties, calling the U.S. the EU’s "closest ally." Her comments follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Ukraine could "become Russian someday" and his proposal to condition U.S. support on access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that returning Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders is "unrealistic" and downplayed the possibility of the country joining NATO. This comes as Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly held a "lengthy and highly productive" call, agreeing to start peace talks "immediately."

On Gaza, Kallas rejected Trump's idea of relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, stressing that "people can't be moved by force" and that Gaza must not become a "terrorist haven again." She reaffirmed the EU’s support for a two-state solution, arguing that Palestinian rights must be respected to ensure Israel's security.

Addressing U.S. aid cuts, Kallas said the EU would not automatically step in to replace American funding but saw an opportunity to strengthen Europe's geopolitical role. She called for greater visibility of EU support, citing its significant contributions to international aid.

This article is based on reporting by European Newsroom partners, including Agerpres, AMNA, ANSA, CTK, dpa, EFE, and others.