Kaja Kallas is one of the most critical voices towards Russia in Europe and is emerging as the new head of EU foreign policy, replacing the Spanish Josep Borrell.
Estonian Prime Minister has called on NATO allies to commit to smooth the way for the accession of Ukraine to the Atlantic Alliance. At a joint press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Kaja Kallas and the organization’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington.
In the Belgian capital, Kallas and Stoltenberg stressed the unwavering support of the Atlantic Alliance to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to collective defense.
“In Washington we must make bold decisions that strengthen the security of our people and the Euro-Atlantic area in the long term. This means, first of all, guaranteeing support for Ukraine. This means that the ‘deterrent defense‘ begins in Ukraine. He price we pay supporting Ukrainians in their efforts to defeat Russian imperialism is small compared to what would happen if aggression bears fruit,” Kallas noted.
“Our duty is to continue the process of Ukraine’s accession to NATO. We must demonstrate with our words and actions that Ukraine’s path to NATO is irreversible. Secondly, we must maintain the russian threat in the NATO spotlight. A long-term strategy is necessary to counteract and contain Russia’s aggressive actions. We are also seeing a coordinated policy of hybrid activities by Russia throughout Europe. “There are more and more attempts to destroy civilian infrastructure and sabotage facilities related to the supply of weapons,” he added.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kaja Kallas has boosted EU efforts to punish Russiawith sanctionssend military support to Ukraine and reinforce the defensive resources of the community bloc.
Mark Rutte is going to take the reins of NATO
Jens Stoltenberg also took advantage of the occasion in Brussels to welcome Mark Rutte as new NATO Secretary General. The Norwegian highlighted the extensive experience and ability to create consensus of the Dutch politician.
“I very much welcome the fact that NATO allies have decided that Mark Rutte be my successor. I have known Mark for many years, we have worked together as Prime Ministers. We work together in my capacity as Secretary General of NATO. Mark Rutte is a strong defender of the transatlantic link, North America and Europe. He knows NATO very well, he is very competent and has a lot of experience,” declared Stoltenberg.
Rutte has supported Ukraine and its right to defend itself since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. He previously indicated that this was one of the reasons why he considered accessing the NATO’s highest officefirst of all, among other political options.
Volodymyr Zelensky meets with the leaders of the European Union
The Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelensky, called on the leaders of the European Union to fulfill their promises of supply military material to his war-devastated country, just days after the community bloc began talks with his government on EU accession.
“We have to work on the next steps,” declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Brussels, upon his arrival at a summit of European Union leaders. Zelensky announced that he and leaders would discuss urgent things. “air defense “It is one of the pressing issues that must be addressed,” said the president of Ukraine.
Furthermore, Zelensky thanked the countries that have promised equipment, weapons and ammunition to their country, while stressing that Ukrainians “urgently need them on the battlefield.”