EU must consider U.S. interests if it seeks its help in ending war in Europe – Kallas

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said this in her opening speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025 in Brussels on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“You have to listen to your friends too. Just as we want the United States to help stop Russian aggression in Europe, we have to understand America’s core interests. China is a strategic competitor. They are increasingly assertive, globally present and competitively so. Operating through confidence and hope, to borrow from Dominique Moisi. Many European countries have considerable interests in China or in trade with China. And the EU is still China’s largest market to trade in. But we should not repeat the same mistakes with China that we made with Russia. Dependences make us vulnerable,” Kallas said.

The EU proved it could untangle itself from Russia so if Europe wants to de-risk from China, it can do this. China’s assertiveness has also demonstrated where the EU can pursue closer partnerships – Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and others in the region. “Where many share our interests and values, from technology to defense,” she said.

“[We need to] work with those we can. The EU has many partners around the world. But there are none that are as important as the United States. Some of us may not like everything our counterparts say or do there, but that’s democracy, we have to deal with it. Transatlantic trade and investment support more than 16 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. It accounts for 42% of global GDP. We need America and America needs us,” Kallas said.

Today, EU leaders are meeting informally in Brussels to discuss ways to strengthen European defense, with continued support for Ukraine as a key part of these efforts.