Kaja Kallas

Russia is on the back foot militarily, economically but also diplomatically. The dynamics of the war are shifting in Ukraine's favour. Today, we discussed our own European core security interests regarding Russia.

The Strait of Hormuz remains caught in a dangerous grey zone between war and peace. There is now a tenuous diplomatic push to extend the ceasefire. Any first phase agreement between the U.S. and Iran must be followed by deeper talks about the nuclear stockpile, and other critical issues.

Russia wants us to discuss who talks to them, And they are already picking who is suitable for that. Let's not walk into that trap. Negotiations are always a team effort, with a defined strategy. That’s why the substance that we discuss today in Cyprus matters much more.

The European Union and Mexico are partners who can rely on each other. Together with Roberto Velasco, we held today our first-ever Strategic Dialogue. Tomorrow, we will deliver an updated Global Agreement and the interim trade agreement. These are the result of many years of negotiations. (1/2)

If Europe wants to be a geopolitical actor, we need to be more strategic in our external action. At today’s Development Council, we will discuss how Europe can better align aid, trade, security, and defence partnerships with both the needs of our partners and our own strategic interests. (1/2)

Good to speak to Edward Luce at Lennart Meri Conference about Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Middle East and trans-Atlantic relations. On Russia, the most important thing is that we keep up the pressure because they are not at the point of coming to the negotiation table to actually negotiate.

Deterrence works if it is credible. Showing weakness only invites aggression. That’s why we need to close defence capability gaps through faster arms production, cheaper arms, and more rapid delivery. Extract from my press remarks following today’s Foreign Affairs Council on Defence ↓

Whether Putin dares to test Europe’s defences depends on us. Today, EU Defence Ministers are meeting to discuss how to make use of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, as well as defence industry cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. (1/2)

In the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire is under heavy strain, following Iran’s strikes in the region. Tehran’s hardliner grip on the world’s most important energy shipping lane is untenable. The EU is expanding its sanctions to also include those responsible for obstructing freedom of navigation.

Of all the horrors inflicted by Russia’s war, the abduction of Ukrainian children is one of its worst. Stealing children is a calculated Russian attack on Ukraine’s future. Bringing them home is a priority. We support this with funding, aid and sanctions.

A busy day ahead as Foreign Ministers gather in Brussels. On today’s agenda: 🔹 The Western Balkans, strengthening our partners’ resilience. 🔹 Russia’s war against Ukraine, including new sanctions on those responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children. (1/2)

Europe is not just about geography, it's also about the values and principles we share. That’s why we are glad to welcome Canada at the European Political Community meeting today to discuss common issues. We will be talking about connectivity, but also resilience to the threats we are all facing.

The grim battlefield math shows Russia is losing a record number of soldiers. For the first time in years, Moscow’s Victory parade is about to take place without any heavy military equipment. This tells a lot about how the war is going for Russia.

There is now momentum to revisit a range of long-blocked decisions. EU leaders are also pushing to move ahead with a 21st sanctions package against Russia. It would send another clear signal to Russia that Ukraine matters more to Europe than it does to them. My press remarks ahead of today’s #EUCO

Daily U-turns, whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, are reckless. Transit through the Strait must remain free of charge. The EU has reached the political agreement to widen our sanctions regime to also target those responsible for breaches to freedom of navigation. (1/2)

We expect some positive decisions tomorrow on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. This would show that our support for Ukraine remains strong and that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine. My doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓

The breakdown of international law is evident in today’s two pre-eminent global crises — Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. (1/3)

The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are interlinked. With our G7 partners, we’ll discuss how to find an off ramp from the war in the Middle East, as the consequences are felt severly worldwide. (1/2)

Iran's attacks on Qatar’s energy infrastructure are deepening the chaos. The war in the Middle East needs an exit, not an escalation. This is equally important for Ukraine, as Russia stands to gain from the Iran war. (1/2)

Moscow stands to gain from higher energy prices and the diversion of air-defences to the Middle East. EU Foreign Ministers were clear that Ukraine remains Europe’s top security priority. Attention for Ukraine will not be allowed to fizzle out. Extract from my press conference ↓

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz hurts the global economy and helps Russia fund its war. It is affecting our partners in the region and is dangerous for global energy supplies. (1/2)

We see a new world order characterized by competition and coercive power politics, featuring military powers, who aim to establish spheres of influence. How we respond to this moment will define us. Extract of my speech at our EU Ambassadors Conference ↓

We stand before an opportunity. Europe can step onto the global stage united and strong, or resign ourselves to the sidelines. Paraphrasing Winston Churchill in June 1940, this may not be Europe’s finest hour, but it is Europe’s hour of decision. My remarks at the Churchill Lecture in Zurich ↓

Tehran is now trying to export the war to as many countries as it can. Today, EU Foreign Ministers and our Gulf partners will discuss what we can do together to break the cycle of violence. (1/2) My doorstep ↓

Everybody understands that diplomacy is preferable to war. Yet after a year of talks, we still do not even have ceasefire. It is not Ukraine that is the obstacle to peace, Russia is. We must flip the script to what Russia must do to meet the basic conditions for a just and lasted peace.

Four years into its war, Moscow has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. The pressure in the peace talks seems to be falling on Ukraine. But if we want this war to stop and any peace to last, we need to see concessions from Russia. My doorstep ahead of our Foreign Affairs Council ↓

Europe's security is more uncertain than it has been in decades. If we want to keep our countries safe, we must strengthen Europe’s hard power. We are already investing record sums in defence. My press remarks following today’s E5 Defence Ministers meeting ↓

The greatest threat Russia presents right now is that it gains more at the negotiation table than it has achieved on the battlefield. Russia’s maximalist demands cannot be met with a minimalist response. Extract of my speech at Munich Security Conference ↓

If you want to be a geopolitical power, you have to be a strong economic and military power. We are already a strong economic power, but we need to increase our competitiveness, simplify procedures, improve access to capital and build partnerships to diversify our trade portfolios. My doorstep ↓

Russia is not winning this war. Its casualty rates are surging, and its economy is struggling. Today, Ministers will discuss how we can further support Ukraine. On the table are proposals to establish two training facilities inside Ukraine and to mobilise additional private capital.

A safe, secure and prosperous Arctic is a global common good. It’s up to us to make that happen. That is what the EU will work for, together with the Arctic nations. Extract of my speech at the Arctic Frontiers Conference ↓

The EU and Norway are strong partners. And in this geopolitical environment, we really need to stick together. From our shared security and economic resilience to our support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, this matters more than ever. My press statement with PM Jonas Gahr Støre↓

Russia is failing on the battlefield, so it is trying to weaponise winter. The EU is responding with the biggest ever winter aid package. Just today, we provided an extra 500 generators and €50 million for energy support. Extract of my press conference ↓

Iran’s security forces are responsible for mass killings. Today, we are imposing new sanctions on those directly responsible for the violent crackdown on protests that has killed thousands (1/2)

We want strong trans-Atlantic ties. But Europe needs to adapt to new realities. It is no longer Washington’s primary centre of gravity. It’s time for Europe to step up and act with urgency. Extract of my speech at the European Defence Agency conference ↓

The word for this year has been unpredictability. This is what we are living through. But right now, it is important to focus back our efforts on stopping the war in Ukraine. Russia is increasing its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, amid a particularly hard winter.

Europe is ready to deliver on a powerful new agenda with India. Today, the EU agreed to move forward with the signature of a new Security and Defence Partnership. I look forward to signing it next week during the EU-India Summit in New Delhi. My intervention in #EPlenary ↓

Iranian women and men are fighting for a future of their own choosing. For freedom, dignity, and a better life. The Iranian authorities’ brutal repression is unacceptable. The EU already has sweeping sanctions on Iran in place. We are working on new sanctions in response.

Greenland belongs to its people. No threat or tariffs will change that. Our response must be to remain calm, hold our ground and act in unity. Extract of my intervention in #EPlenary ↓

The courage of the Iranian people is humbling. The brutal response by the security forces is unacceptable and exposes a regime afraid of its own people. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran. We are now discussing putting additional sanctions.

Putin is banking on our failure to act. We cannot afford to do him that favour. The Reparations Loan is the most clear-cut option for sustained funding for Ukraine. My doorstep ahead of today’s #EUCO ↓