EU’s Kallas pushes back against Trump for saying Europe lags behind US

23/1/2025 6:32

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back on Wednesday against Donald Trump for saying that Europe lagged behind the U.S. in aid for

Ukraine, and insisted the bloc must have a seat at the table when the time comes for peace talks.



Trump has said Washington contributed more to Ukraine than Europe, but Kallas said Europe was the biggest contributor.



"By my account, we have given more than 134 billion euros to Ukraine. That makes us the biggest international donor," Kallas told Reuters in an interview when asked about comments by the U.S. president on Tuesday that Europe should be paying more.



Kallas said it was important that Europe be including whenever talks take place to end the war triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.



Some European officials have voiced fears that Trump may try to do a deal directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.