The EU’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has doubled down on a tough stance on Moscow, announcing fresh financial support for Ukraine, a zero-tolerance position on Russia’s military presence in Syria and a call for sanctions on Georgia’s ruling pro-Russian party.
In her first official meeting with EU foreign ministers, the former prime minister of Estonia, who is on Russia’s “wanted list,” made clear her commitment to confronting Russian influence across Europe and beyond.
The trio of pressing issues—Ukraine’s ongoing battle against Russia, the future of Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and growing concerns about Georgian political shifts—dominated the discussions.
Using her platform to outline the EU’s strategy moving forward on the frontlines of Europe’s most pressing geopolitical conflict, Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, announcing that the bloc will provide €1.5 billion in monthly budgetary aid to Kyiv beginning in January 2025.
This funding is in addition to a €4.2 billion package approved earlier this month. The EU’s commitment, Kallas stressed, is not just financial but also military, with a bold plan to train up to 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of winter.
The trio of pressing issues—Ukraine’s ongoing battle against Russia, the future of Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and growing concerns about Georgian political shifts—dominated the discussions.
Using her platform to outline the EU’s strategy moving forward on the frontlines of Europe’s most pressing geopolitical conflict, Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, announcing that the bloc will provide €1.5 billion in monthly budgetary aid to Kyiv beginning in January 2025.
This funding is in addition to a €4.2 billion package approved earlier this month. The EU’s commitment, Kallas stressed, is not just financial but also military, with a bold plan to train up to 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of winter.
Turning to Syria, Kallas made it clear that the EU intends to play a key role in the country’s post-Assad future. Following the fall of the Russian-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad, she stated that Russia and Iran should have “no place” in Syria’s future political landscape.
Despite the pullback of Russian troops from some fronts in northern Syria, Moscow is still holding on to two key military bases in the country, a lingering presence that Kallas described as unacceptable.
“Russia’s influence in Syria must end,” she said. “The fall of Assad is a clear sign that Russia is weakened, and it is now up to the international community to help guide Syria toward a future free from extremism and foreign domination.”
Kallas also highlighted the EU’s leading role in providing humanitarian aid to Syria, including the opening of an air bridge to deliver 100 tons of critical supplies.
The EU remains the largest humanitarian supporter of the Syrian people, even as the region transitions from the brutal legacy of Assad’s regime.
Kallas’ first press conference as EU’s foreign policy chief also addressed growing tensions with Georgia, where pro-Russian sentiments within the ruling Georgian Dream party have sparked mass protests.
The EU has been particularly concerned by the Georgian government’s recent decision to freeze EU membership talks, despite overwhelming public support for the country’s European integration.
The protests, centered in the capital Tbilisi, were met with violent repression by the Georgian authorities, raising alarms about the state of democracy and press freedom in the country.
Voicing disappointment over the EU’s inability to impose sanctions on Georgian officials involved in the crackdown, after Hungary and Slovakia vetoed the proposal, she said: “It’s my first Hungarian veto, but I can guarantee it won’t be the last.”
Despite the pullback of Russian troops from some fronts in northern Syria, Moscow is still holding on to two key military bases in the country, a lingering presence that Kallas described as unacceptable.
“Russia’s influence in Syria must end,” she said. “The fall of Assad is a clear sign that Russia is weakened, and it is now up to the international community to help guide Syria toward a future free from extremism and foreign domination.”
Kallas also highlighted the EU’s leading role in providing humanitarian aid to Syria, including the opening of an air bridge to deliver 100 tons of critical supplies.
The EU remains the largest humanitarian supporter of the Syrian people, even as the region transitions from the brutal legacy of Assad’s regime.
Kallas’ first press conference as EU’s foreign policy chief also addressed growing tensions with Georgia, where pro-Russian sentiments within the ruling Georgian Dream party have sparked mass protests.
The EU has been particularly concerned by the Georgian government’s recent decision to freeze EU membership talks, despite overwhelming public support for the country’s European integration.
The protests, centered in the capital Tbilisi, were met with violent repression by the Georgian authorities, raising alarms about the state of democracy and press freedom in the country.
Voicing disappointment over the EU’s inability to impose sanctions on Georgian officials involved in the crackdown, after Hungary and Slovakia vetoed the proposal, she said: “It’s my first Hungarian veto, but I can guarantee it won’t be the last.”
She also vowed to take a different approach, proposing the suspension of the EU’s visa-free regime for Georgian citizens.
Kallas said that if approved, the suspension would require Georgian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the EU—a move that, while symbolic, was an important “first step” on the road to further EU sanctions on the Georgian government.
Kallas said that if approved, the suspension would require Georgian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the EU—a move that, while symbolic, was an important “first step” on the road to further EU sanctions on the Georgian government.
More In Politics MORE...
