Kaja Kallas vows to improve EU-US dialogue on Ukraine as diplomatic chief candidate

Kaja Kallas, the candidate for EU Diplomatic Chief, has pledged to engage with US President-elect Donald Trump and his administration, particularly on issues like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

"Of course, we will seek connections, aim for meetings with the new president and his team to shape a unified foreign policy," Kallas told members of the European Parliament during her hearing, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

She emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine would be a central topic in these discussions, asserting that the U.S. should be as invested in responding to the situation as the EU is.

Kallas also expressed strong opposition to any potential ceasefire in Ukraine, arguing that such agreements would only lead to more violence. "There are agreements that provide short-term peace but ultimately lead to more war. This was the case with the Minsk agreements—they only resulted in further conflict," she explained in response to questions from MEPs regarding Trump’s intentions for a "quick ceasefire" in the region.

In her remarks, Kallas went on to describe China as a "systemic adversary" to the European Union. She called for more stringent consequences for China should it continue to support Russia in the conflict. "China's policy has shifted in recent years. Now, it is a competitor and a systemic adversary," she noted, emphasizing the need for the EU to reduce its dependency on China and mitigate the risks posed by such relations.

She further argued, "Without China's support, Russia would struggle to maintain its military actions in Ukraine, so China must also face a rising cost for its policies."

Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia, was nominated for the position of EU foreign policy chief during an EU summit in June, alongside the extension of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s term. Her appointment now requires the approval of European Parliament members, and after the hearing, she is expected to receive the necessary backing to officially take up the post. Kallas, along with von der Leyen’s Commission, will likely be confirmed during a parliamentary session in late November.

By Tamilla Hasanova