EU’s Kaja Kallas Says U.S. Cannot Negotiate Russia Sanctions for Europe, Demands Role in Middle East Security

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that the United States cannot negotiate the removal of European sanctions on Russia on the EU’s behalf, while calling for Europe to help shape the Middle East’s security arrangements after the region’s wars end. ⠀ “America can’t negotiate on our behalf,” Kallas said in an interview with FRANCE 24 published Wednesday. Russia wants sanctions lifted and its frozen assets released as part of discussions over the war in Ukraine, she said, but those are European decisions. “They can’t be made by anybody else but Europe.” ⠀ Kallas suggested Moscow preferred dealing with Washington rather than European governments because negotiating with the United States was easier. The comments came as U.S., Russian and Ukrainian representatives concluded talks in Abu Dhabi, with European governments seeking a say in any settlement affecting their security. ⠀ Turning to the Middle East, Kallas argued that Europe must be included in the region’s future security framework. “After these wars are over, the new security architecture for the Middle East needs to include also Europe, because it’s our very close neighborhood,” she said. ⠀ She also raised the possibility of a shift in Washington’s approach to Israel, referring to statements by President Donald Trump about halting military support. “I don’t know if they will act on this,” Kallas said, adding that U.S. policy could change. She did not say that military assistance had actually been suspended. ⠀ European governments have repeatedly called for a place in negotiations over Ukraine’s future. In a statement following their Paris meeting this week, G7 foreign ministers said talks about Europe’s future security must include Europeans.