Kaja Kallas called on Europe to act in unison in the face of Donald Trump’s policies
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has stated that EU countries must remain united in response to the actions of US President Donald Trump’s administration. She believes that Washington is attempting to drive a wedge between European governments, which individually have less influence.
Kallas noted that the Trump administration is using methods similar to those employed by opponents of the European Union. According to her, the United States is openly demonstrating a desire to divide Europe.
“In my view, it is important for everyone to realise that the US has made it very clear: they want to split Europe. They do not like the European Union,” she said.
According to Kallas, relations between the European Union and the United States remain complex. She referred to documents on US national security and defence strategy, which the White House published in December and January. These documents spoke of the need to build resistance in Europe and to review the scale of American military support for the continent.
The White House also claimed that European governments are restricting freedom of speech, hindering the achievement of peace in Ukraine, and implementing migration policies that could lead to the disappearance of civilisation.
Donald Trump also expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is considered the most pro-Russian and Eurosceptic leader among EU heads of state, during his election campaign. Vice-President J.D. Vance has backed far-right candidates in other European elections, notably the Alternative for Germany party during last year’s parliamentary elections.
Kallas stated that there are differing views among the 27 EU member states on how to build relations with the United States.
“Our response should not be: ‘Oh, let’s deal with [Trump] bilaterally’, but rather: ‘Let’s deal with them together’. They don’t like it when we unite, because together we are equal forces,” she said.
Kallas, a former Prime Minister of Estonia, noted that Trump’s stance has strengthened the arguments of those countries advocating for a more autonomous Europe, less dependent on the US, particularly in the defence sector. At the same time, she warned that moving too quickly in this direction could have negative consequences.
In the short term, she said, Europe would have to simultaneously take Trump’s stance into account and reduce its dependence on the US.
“We have to buy from America because we don’t have the necessary resources, capabilities or potential,” said Kallas. “At the same time, we also need to invest in our own defence industry so as not to put all our eggs in one basket.”
Many European Union countries, particularly those located near Russia, are cautious about any decisions that might strain relations with the United States or hasten a potential reduction in the American military presence in Europe. According to EU officials, this complicates the search for a common position on next steps.
“If we agree on the diagnosis, we must also agree on the treatment,” said Kallas.
She also noted that tough measures could provoke a backlash, but believes that in the long term, Europe must act decisively.
“If we take such decisive measures, it will also have a retaliatory effect, and that will be painful. But in the long term, in my view, we need to be resolute, because that is exactly what they understand.”
