EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Europe alone cannot bear the responsibility for ending the war in Ukraine, especially as US President Donald Trump signals a shift in tone by backing Ukraine’s full territorial recovery. While welcoming Trump’s support, Kallas expressed concern that the US may be stepping back from direct involvement, reports Politico. She emphasized the need for coordinated sanctions, urged Washington to use its leverage over pro-Russian EU members, and called for frozen Russian assets to be used in Ukraine’s reconstruction. As tensions rise with ongoing Russian airspace violations, Kallas cautioned against responses that could fuel public fear. Trump, in turn, has put pressure on Europe to do more, specifically by ending its purchases of Russian oil, before he will authorize deeper punishment of Russia’s economy. Politico writes:

Europe alone is not responsible for helping Ukraine bring an end to its war with Russia, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned Thursday. […]

There is no NATO without the U.S., said Kallas, the high representative for foreign affairs of the European Commission.

“America is the greatest ally in NATO. So if you talk about what NATO should do, that also means what America should do,” she said. […]

“Trump has been right,” Kallas said. “We have decreased our oil and gas purchases by 80 percent, which means that if everybody did what we do, there could be a bigger effect. We have done 19 packages of sanctions. If allies would mirror them, the war would be over sooner.” […]

Kallas also argued in favor of mobilizing frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine ahead of discussions among G7 finance ministers planned for Oct. 1. […]

Read more here.