Kaja Kallas, the newly appointed head of European diplomacy, and Antonio Costa, the new president of the European Council, made their inaugural visit to Kyiv today to express solidarity with Ukraine.
This visit takes place amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the West. Recently, Ukraine has utilized American and British-supplied missiles to target deep within Russian territory, while Russia has retaliated with new hypersonic missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.
The newly formed European Commission aims to reinforce its commitment to Ukraine, particularly as Ukrainian forces face setbacks on the frontlines and as anxieties grow over a potential pause in U.S. aid under a possible new term for Donald Trump as President.
“We are here to deliver a clear message: we stand with Ukraine and will continue our support,” Costa stated to the press present during his visit.
“Since the war began, the EU has stood firmly with Ukraine,” Costa shared on X, posting a photo of himself, Kallas, and European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, arriving in Kyiv by train.
“On our first day in our new roles, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people,” he added.
Kallas also took to X, stating, “On my first day of duty, my message is straightforward: the EU wants Ukraine to emerge victorious in this war. We will do whatever is necessary to achieve this.”
As winter approaches, Ukraine continues to face severe aerial bombardments targeting its energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages across the country.
“The current situation in Ukraine is dire, but it’s evident that the costs are also significant for Russia,” Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia and a staunch advocate for a firm stance against Moscow, assessed.
Kallas and Costa, who hold the two most significant positions in the EU after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are expected to engage in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Although Zelensky has steadfastly refused to negotiate with Russia for over two years, he has recently softened his position, advocating for NATO to extend its protection to areas under Kyiv’s control to “end the hot phase of the war.” He suggested that Ukraine might not immediately seek to reclaim territories seized by Russia.
“For a ceasefire to be feasible, we must have guarantees that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will not return,” Zelensky emphasized in an interview with Sky News.
Conversely, Putin demands that Ukraine relinquish control of four provinces in the southern and eastern parts of the country, partially held by Russian forces, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. He is also opposed to Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Kallas responded by stating, “The strongest security guarantee for Ukraine is its accession to NATO.” She questioned, “If Ukraine chooses to draw a line, how can we assure peace and prevent Putin from advancing further?”
NATO diplomats estimate that the likelihood of the Alliance offering Ukraine membership status soon is low, largely due to concerns from various countries about becoming directly involved in conflict with Russia.
Kallas stressed that the EU should “exclude nothing” regarding the potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine to ensure compliance with any ceasefire agreement, a move that could provoke direct conflict with Russia. “We must maintain strategic ambiguity on this issue,” she declared.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, Europe has provided approximately $125 billion in support to Ukraine, compared to over $90 billion from the U.S., according to the Kiel Institute.
However, the future of American aid remains uncertain, as Trump has criticized current support levels and expressed a desire to conclude the conflict swiftly.
Kallas assured that the EU would work to persuade the Republican party that supporting Kyiv is in the U.S. interest. “Aid to Ukraine is not just charity. A Russian victory would undoubtedly embolden China, Iran, and North Korea,” she explained.
She noted that the EU will strive to strengthen Ukraine’s position in any potential negotiations with Russia, but acknowledged that reaching a consensus among the 27 EU member states on new support measures is becoming “increasingly difficult.”
“This war has persisted for some time, and it is becoming harder to justify to our citizens,”
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