Kallas urges Washington to align with EU sanctions on Russia, saying tougher pressure could help end Ukraine war as she questions Trump’s energy truce

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on the United States to coordinate its sanctions policy with the European Union, arguing ahead of a foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on October 12 that joint pressure could help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. She said sanctions had deprived Moscow of €1 trillion, or about $1.1 trillion, and that US alignment with the EU and UK would make the pressure more effective. Kallas also pointed to measures against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and urged Washington to enact the Graham bill on Russia.

Kallas welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine but said the EU had yet to see whether Moscow would observe it. She said any truce should stop people being killed, not just attacks on energy infrastructure, and should not benefit Russia: Ukraine has one refinery, she noted, while Russia has several. The Associated Press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to hold elections once a ceasefire was established; Kallas said elections could follow if Russia stopped the war.

On the Middle East, Kallas condemned escalating Houthi attacks on airports and offered condolences for those killed. She said EU ministers would consider further steps concerning the Red Sea, including a possible strengthening of Operation Aspides. After speaking with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan the previous day, she said the discussion included coordinating the operation with an international force to keep the Bab el-Mandeb open and commercial shipping moving through the Red Sea.

Kallas also said ministers would decide whether to establish a new EU mission in Lebanon with civilian and military components. If approved, she hoped it could begin operating on the ground within a few months.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council met in Luxembourg on October 12, with Russia’s war against Ukraine and developments in the Middle East among the agenda items.