(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Support for Ukraine should be a top priority for the EU and European diplomacy, as the Russian war poses an existential threat to the entire European Union.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said this in her opening speech at the EU Ambassadors conference 2025, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"No matter where in the world you are working, or how far you are from Ukraine, it is important that we all understand what Russia's intentions really are there. While you are my top priority, Ukraine has to be our top priority. Because Putin wants all of Ukraine, and it is not his to have," Kallas said.
She emphasized that Putin is not concerned about virtual threats from NATO. "If he was, he wouldn't be pulling his troops from the borders of NATO to fight in Ukraine – he is more concerned about the expansion of democracy and the values that the EU stands for," she said.
"The problem is that Russia is fighting against us a few hundred kilometers from our borders. Their missiles and drones have already crossed ours. We have to help end this war. But for peace to endure, in the way that Ukraine deserves, we must push the Kremlin to change its goals," Kallas said.
She stressed that the only language that Russia understands is strength. In this context, she welcomed the U.S. commitment to peace through strength. Europe has the strength and the means to outspend and outproduce Russia. Together with key allies such as the UK, the U.S. and Canada, Europe is even stronger. The collective GDP of the EU and its partners exceeds Russia's by more than 25 times. In this context, the only thing Europe needs now is political will.
"We must all be stronger on Russia, sanctioning those who help Russia keep its war machine running and blocking profits from oil and gas that directly support the state budget. Our sanctions are working. Russia's economy is struggling. We cannot loosen the grip now," Kallas said.
She stressed that the EU must also be stronger for Ukraine. Today, the EU is Ukraine's largest overall donor and has contributed over EUR 134 billion, including close to EUR 50 billion in military aid.
"We cannot be talking about doing less when we should be doing more. Where there is a will, there is a way. So I don't accept the argument that this or that has never been done before. I want us to find further financing solutions for Ukraine. The Ukrainians fight very bravely. And with our support at every step of the way. Russia is an existential threat to us all. So I don't want to hear what we can't do. I want to discuss and act on what we can do. We should be the architects of creative solutions, not foot-soldiers along well-trodden paths. I want this to be a guiding principle for this mandate," Kallas said.
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