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EU Diplomat Rebuts Trump’s "Screwing" Allegation, Emphasizes Peace and Transatlantic Partnership
Kaja Kallas, a prominent European Union diplomat, has directly challenged former President Donald Trump’s assertion that the EU exists primarily to disadvantage the United States. Speaking on CBS News’ "Face the Nation," Kallas firmly rejected Trump’s characterization, emphasizing the EU’s core mission of fostering peace and cooperation among its member nations. Her remarks come amidst ongoing debates about the future of transatlantic relations and the crucial role of international alliances in addressing global challenges, particularly the conflict in Ukraine.
Kallas articulated the fundamental principle upon which the EU was founded. "Europe is a peace project," she stated, underscoring that the organization’s primary objective was to eliminate the historical cycle of wars that had plagued the continent for centuries. "It was created so that we wouldn’t have wars between the members of the European Union, and we haven’t had any." This emphasis on peace and stability serves as a direct counterpoint to Trump’s accusation, portraying the EU not as a predatory entity but as a force for harmony and mutual benefit.
Beyond its peace-keeping function, Kallas highlighted the EU’s commitment to cooperation and collective action. "And, of course, also to do things together, cooperate more," she explained, pointing to the various ways in which member states pool resources and expertise to address shared challenges, from economic development to environmental protection. This spirit of collaboration, she argued, benefits not only the EU member states but also the broader international community.
Kallas brought a personal perspective to the discussion, drawing on her experience as a representative of a nation that joined the EU just two decades ago. She recalled that, during her country’s accession process, the United States actively encouraged them to embrace European integration. "[Coming] from a country that joined the European Union 20 years ago, then, we were actually, you know, pushed by the Americans, you know, [saying] you will not get into NATO, but Europe, the European Union, is something that you should join because its, its a good project also for transatlantic relations." This historical context underscores the long-standing recognition, even within the U.S., of the EU’s positive contribution to global stability and its role as a partner in promoting shared values.
The diplomat expressed her surprise and disappointment at Trump’s recent comments, given this history of U.S. support for European integration. "So I was quite surprised to hear a comment like that," she admitted, suggesting that Trump’s remarks contradicted decades of bipartisan U.S. policy.
The conversation then shifted to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Kallas underscoring the broad support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within Europe. She emphasized that she has been in close contact with key European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to coordinate efforts in support of Ukraine. This coordination reflects a unified European front in condemning Russian aggression and providing assistance to the Ukrainian people.
Kallas framed the conflict in Ukraine as a struggle that extends far beyond the country’s borders. "The fight that Ukraine is having is not only about Ukraine sovereignty, but its much, much broader. Its about freedom of the free world, really. It is about the world where international law applies and the world where might does not make right," she argued, emphasizing the universal principles at stake in the conflict. In her view, the outcome of the war will have profound implications for the future of the international order and the ability of democratic nations to defend their values against authoritarian aggression.
Turning to the issue of how to effectively counter Russian aggression, Kallas suggested that the United States and Europe possess the collective power to significantly weaken Russia’s war effort through concerted economic pressure. "We shouldn’t overestimate the power of Russia and underestimate our own power," she asserted, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the vulnerabilities of the Russian economy.
She pointed to Russia’s economic challenges, including high inflation rates and the depletion of its National Wealth Fund. "We know that their economy is not doing well. I mean, their inflation is over 20%, their National Fund is almost completely depleted," she explained, highlighting the strain that the war is placing on Russia’s financial resources.
Kallas also noted that Russia’s revenues from oil and gas exports, a key source of funding for its military, have declined in recent months. "They don’t have the same revenues from gas and oil that they used to to fund the war machine," she observed, suggesting that this decline presents an opportunity to further weaken Russia’s capacity to wage war.
She concluded by urging the U.S. and Europe to intensify their economic pressure on Russia, arguing that a coordinated and sustained effort could ultimately force Russia to end the war in Ukraine. "So actually, if we concentrate our efforts, we can put the pressure so that they would stop the war," she asserted, reiterating her belief in the power of collective action to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Kallas’s comments follow recent remarks by Trump criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which he reportedly claimed that Ukraine "doesn’t have the cards" and should sue for peace. These statements have raised concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly if Trump were to return to power. Kallas’s strong defense of the EU and its support for Ukraine serves as a counterpoint to Trump’s isolationist rhetoric, reaffirming the importance of transatlantic cooperation in addressing global challenges.
