The European Union must support Ukraine “as long as necessary”, find spaces for dialogue with Donald Trump and be firm against China: the future head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas presented her vision of her position on Tuesday.
“The world is on fire, we must stay united,” said Ms. Kallas during a hearing before the European Parliament in Brussels.
The former Estonian Prime Minister, who grew up behind the “iron curtain”, she recalled, was designated in June by the 27 heads of state and government of the EU to replace the Spaniard Josep Borrell at the head of European diplomacy. It must still receive the approval of the European Parliament at the end of this hearing on Tuesday, but there is little doubt about the green light from MEPs.
Particularly firm on the need not to give in to Russia, Ms Kallas considered it essential that the EU does not show any signs of discouragement: “We must continue to work every day. Today, tomorrow and as long as necessary and with as much military, financial and humanitarian aid as necessary.
The 47-year-old former Estonian leader is expected to take office in December. In addition to the functions of head of European diplomacy, she was also appointed vice-president of the European Commission, like her predecessor. Its mandate, like that of the rest of the Commission, is five years.
| © AFP The future head of European diplomacy, Estonian Kaja Kallas, during a hearing before the European Parliament in Brussels on November 12, 2024 |
“It won’t be an easy five years,” she admitted. “I see coalitions of autocrats forming around us and threatening geopolitical upheavals taking place across the world.”
“Don’t give in on our values”
“We must be aware that there is a threat and respond appropriately with our closest allies and partners without giving up anything on our values,” she added.
Asked about the announced return to the White House of Donald Trump, she insisted on her desire to meet with him, as well as his team, to “develop common policies”.
“The EU and the United States are stronger and more secure when we work together,” she stressed.
Responding all morning to questions from numerous MEPs, she was often cautious, only raising her voice once, in the face of the “Moscow narrative” taken up, according to her, by one of these MEPs. questioning the need for peace in Ukraine.
| © AFP The future head of European diplomacy, Estonian Kaja Kallas, during a hearing before the European Parliament in Brussels on November 12, 2024 |
“I don't know anyone who is for war. I don't know any Ukrainian who is for war, they are for peace,” she said.
But, she immediately added, “we have seen that if we have agreements which bring peace in the short term, they do not last, but on the contrary lead to new wars”.
The war in Ukraine will end “when Russia realizes that it has made a mistake, like in Afghanistan, when it withdraws its troops because it understands that it cannot win in Ukraine”, she added. explained, adding that it was therefore essential that Europeans were determined to support kyiv.
On the Middle East, Ms Kallas recalled the main principles guiding the European Union on this subject. “The security of Israel must go hand in hand with the existence of Palestine,” she said.
