EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of failing to fulfill his promise to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating that Brussels cannot bear sole responsibility for resolving the crisis. The remarks were made during an interview with Politico at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
Kallas highlighted Trump’s shift in rhetoric, noting his recent suggestion that Kyiv “with the support of the European Union” could “fight and win” against Russia. Some analysts interpreted this as a retreat from U.S. involvement after Trump failed to deliver on his pledge to swiftly conclude the war. “He was the one who promised to stop the killing,” Kallas said, emphasizing that the burden should not fall entirely on Europe.
Trump’s administration, upon taking office in January, pursued peace negotiations while halting military aid to Ukraine and avoiding sanctions against Russia. The president has since urged European NATO members to boost defense spending to 5% of their GDP, stressing greater regional self-reliance. Kallas reiterated that NATO’s effectiveness depends on U.S. involvement, calling America a critical pillar of the alliance.
The EU faces financial hurdles in sustaining long-term support for Ukraine, constrained by budgetary limits and internal divisions. Earlier this year, Kallas proposed a €40 billion military aid package, but resistance from France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal reduced it to €5 billion for ammunition, reflecting fractured unity.
Russia has accused the EU of hindering peace efforts and escalating tensions, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claiming the West has launched “an actual war” against Moscow. The comments underscore deepening geopolitical divisions as the conflict persists.