Spanish PM Provokes 'Anger' in EU's Kallas, Reports Euractiv
The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has reportedly dismissed Spain's suggestion to appoint a special representative for negotiating a peace deal for Ukraine, according to various news agencies citing informed sources. At a summit in Brussels...
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The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has reportedly dismissed Spain's suggestion to appoint a special representative for negotiating a peace deal for Ukraine, according to various news agencies citing informed sources.
At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez supported the notion of designating a Ukraine envoy, a proposal that had previously received backing from Finland and Croatia.
“We need a negotiating team and a representative that speaks for European citizens,” Sanchez told reporters.
Kallas, however, expressed her frustration at Sanchez's remarks, asserting that she is the appropriate person to lead discussions with both Russia and Ukraine, as mentioned in an Euractiv report quoting an EU diplomat.
Bloomberg reported that Kallas “took offense” at Sanchez’s stance, leading to “a heated exchange” between the two behind closed doors. “What am I here for?” she reportedly questioned, according to Bloomberg’s sources.
As shared by PMG Europe, two EU diplomats noted that Kallas emphasized that representing the bloc was her responsibility, stating that appointing someone new would “not be useful.”
Additionally, the article highlights that EU members have felt marginalized after U.S. President Donald Trump initiated direct discussions with Russia without their consent. Trump, who indicated his primary focus was to save lives, recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resulting in an agreement on a 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure. He has also refrained from offering unconditional support for Kyiv or specific security guarantees.
In Brussels, the diplomatic response was not the only issue of contention. Spain and Italy reportedly opposed Kallas' initiative to secure €40 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine, deeming it excessively costly.
Sanchez further criticized the language and focus of the European Commission's newly proposed plan to raise up to €800 billion for EU rearmament, stating that “the challenges that we face in the southern neighborhood are a bit different [from] the ones the eastern flank [faces].”
Olivia Brown contributed to this article for TROIB News
At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez supported the notion of designating a Ukraine envoy, a proposal that had previously received backing from Finland and Croatia.
“We need a negotiating team and a representative that speaks for European citizens,” Sanchez told reporters.
Kallas, however, expressed her frustration at Sanchez's remarks, asserting that she is the appropriate person to lead discussions with both Russia and Ukraine, as mentioned in an Euractiv report quoting an EU diplomat.
Bloomberg reported that Kallas “took offense” at Sanchez’s stance, leading to “a heated exchange” between the two behind closed doors. “What am I here for?” she reportedly questioned, according to Bloomberg’s sources.
As shared by PMG Europe, two EU diplomats noted that Kallas emphasized that representing the bloc was her responsibility, stating that appointing someone new would “not be useful.”
Additionally, the article highlights that EU members have felt marginalized after U.S. President Donald Trump initiated direct discussions with Russia without their consent. Trump, who indicated his primary focus was to save lives, recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resulting in an agreement on a 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure. He has also refrained from offering unconditional support for Kyiv or specific security guarantees.
In Brussels, the diplomatic response was not the only issue of contention. Spain and Italy reportedly opposed Kallas' initiative to secure €40 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine, deeming it excessively costly.
Sanchez further criticized the language and focus of the European Commission's newly proposed plan to raise up to €800 billion for EU rearmament, stating that “the challenges that we face in the southern neighborhood are a bit different [from] the ones the eastern flank [faces].”
Olivia Brown contributed to this article for TROIB News
