The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas is pushing for stronger US involvement to force Russia into meaningful steps toward peace in Ukraine, as EU Defence Commissioner Kubilius warns that words alone won’t deter Moscow.
The EU’s top diplomat has reacted forcefully to US President Donald Trump’s verbal attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by declaring: “The free world needs a new leader.”
EU sanctions against Russia have to be renewed unanimously every six months. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wanted to use this fact to pressure the bloc into forcing Ukraine to reopen a transit pipeline for Russian gas. Now he lifted his veto.
Calling for an increase in EU defence spending, top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Russia was currently investing almost five times more on defence.
Slovakia has criticised Ukraine’s decision to end Russian gas transit to Europe, calling it a costly blow not only to Slovakia but the entire EU. While some member states downplay the impact, others face mounting pressure over energy security amid winter demands.