By Andrew Gray and Lili Bayer (OTC:)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized Donald Trump on Wednesday for saying Europe was lagging 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 talks. .
Trump said Washington contributed more to Ukraine than Europe, but Kallas said Europe was the biggest contributor.
“By my count, we have given more than 134 billion euros to Ukraine. That makes us the largest international donor,” Kallas said in an interview with Reuters when asked about the US president’s comments on Tuesday. that Europe should pay more.
Kallas said it was important for Europe to be involved in any negotiations aimed at ending the war sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Some European officials have expressed fears that Trump will try to strike a deal directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Whatever negotiation or agreement there is between Russia and Ukraine, it also concerns Europe. So ‘nothing about Europe without Europe’ is also the main thing here,” she said. declared.
Kallas expressed some optimism that the EU would find an agreement to maintain sanctions against Russia before they expire at the end of the month.
Hungary has so far refused to support a renewal, arguing that the EU should first consult the Trump administration on the future of sanctions against Russia.
“I see no reason to weaken or lift sanctions now,” Kallas said.
“The reason I’m optimistic is that we always eventually achieved unity and kept it until now, so I’m sure we’ll achieve it this time as well,” he said. she said, referring to previous discussions on sanctions.
She said EU officials were studying what more could be done with Russian assets frozen inside the bloc. The bloc currently uses profits from these assets to help Ukraine, but has not used these assets itself.
