Kallas responds to Trump after he said Europe lags behind the United States in aid to Ukraine

(Patria) - European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas responded on Wednesday to Donald Trump after he said that Europe lags behind the United States in aid to Ukraine, and insisted that the bloc must have a seat at the table when it comes time for peace negotiations, Reuters reported.

Trump said that Washington has given more to Ukraine than Europe, but Kallas said that Europe has made the biggest contribution.

“By my calculation, we have given more than 134 billion euros to Ukraine. That makes us the biggest
international donor,” Kallas told Reuters in an interview when asked about comments by the US president on Tuesday that Europe should pay more.

Kallas said it is important for Europe to be included whenever talks are held to end the war that was started by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Some European officials have expressed concerns that Trump might try to strike a deal directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Whatever negotiations or deal there is between Russia and Ukraine, it also concerns Europe.

So, ‘nothing about Europe without Europe’ is also the main thing here,” she said.

Kallas expressed some optimism that the European Union will reach an agreement to keep sanctions on Russia in place before they expire at the end of the month.

Hungary has so far refused to support the renewal of sanctions, arguing that Brussels should first consult with the Trump administration.

“I see no reason to weaken or lift the sanctions,” Kallas said.

“I am optimistic because we have always reached unity in the end and maintained unity so far, so I am sure we will succeed this time as well,” she said, referring to previous discussions on sanctions.

She said that European Union officials are exploring what else could be done with Russian assets that have been frozen within the bloc.

The bloc currently uses the profits from the assets to help Ukraine, but has not used the assets themselves.