•Growing Rift Between Washington and Brussels Over Ukraine Policy
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has expressed alarm over what she describes as US President Donald Trump’s increasing alignment with Russian narratives on the Ukraine conflict.
In a series of statements, Kallas has suggested that Washington is shifting away from its traditional European allies while adopting a softer stance toward Moscow—raising concerns within the EU about the future of transatlantic cooperation.
Kallas, who previously served as Estonia’s prime minister from 2021 to 2024, is known for her hawkish stance on Russia and strong advocacy for Ukraine.
In an interview with Axios on Thursday, she criticized recent comments made by Trump and senior US officials, saying it was “uncomfortable” to hear them repeating “Russian narratives and talking points.”
Washington’s Rhetorical Shift on Russia
According to Kallas, the Biden administration had maintained a clear pro-Ukraine position, but Trump’s rhetoric signals a dramatic shift.
“The statements made towards us [the EU] are quite strong. The statements regarding Russia are very friendly. It is a change,” she remarked.
She warned that if Russia is allowed to rejoin the international diplomatic stage “like nothing has happened,” it could embolden further military conflicts beyond Ukraine.
Kallas fears that a softening US stance on Russia might weaken global efforts to hold Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine.
Her concerns were amplified by Washington’s decision to hold recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia without EU or Ukrainian representation.
Both Washington and Moscow defended the exclusion of other parties, arguing that the negotiations focused solely on restoring bilateral relations. However, Kallas insists that any agreement must involve European nations.
“The US can talk with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin all they want,” she said, “but in order for any kind of deal to be implemented, they need the Europeans.”
Clash Over Democracy and Transatlantic Unity
The transatlantic tensions escalated further after US Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, in which he criticized the state of democracy in the EU. Trump publicly praised Vance’s remarks as “brilliant,” prompting a sharp rebuke from Kallas.
“I refuse to accept that criticism, because it’s just simply not true,” she responded, rejecting the notion that the EU’s democratic values were in question.
Her latest warning comes amid growing European anxiety over Washington’s stance on the war in Ukraine.
Last week, Kallas cautioned US leaders against “walking into Russian traps,” claiming that Moscow had emerged as the “winner” from the recent talks in Riyadh.
Trump’s Tougher Tone on Ukraine
Trump’s posture toward Ukraine has also shifted significantly compared to the Biden era.
In recent weeks, he has criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator without elections” and suggesting that Kiev shares responsibility for the war’s escalation in 2022.
While he has since moderated his comments, Trump’s administration has maintained a visibly different approach from Biden’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
With tensions between the US and EU deepening, questions remain about the future of Western unity against Russia.
European leaders, particularly those from nations bordering Russia, fear that Trump’s more skeptical stance on Ukraine could undermine the bloc’s collective security.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, Kallas and other EU officials are likely to continue pressing Washington to maintain its traditional support for Ukraine.
However, with Trump signaling a recalibration of US foreign policy, Brussels may have to navigate a new, uncertain phase in transatlantic relations.
Share This Post