EU pushes back against Trump for saying Europe lags behind US on Ukraine aid

BRUSSELS - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back on Jan 22 against Donald Trump for saying that Europe lagged behind the US in aid for Ukraine, and insisted the bloc must have a seat at the table when the time comes for peace talks.

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

"By my account, we have given more than €134 billion (S$189 billion) to Ukraine. That makes us the biggest international donor," Mr Kallas told Reuters in an interview when asked about comments by the US president on Jan 21 that Europe should be paying more.

Ms 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.

"Whatever negotiation or agreement there is between Russia and Ukraine, that also concerns Europe. So ‘nothing about Europe without Europe’ is also the main thing here," she said.

Ms Kallas expressed some optimism that the EU would find agreement to keep sanctions on Russia in place before they are due to expire at the end of the month.

Hungary has so far declined to back a renewal, arguing the EU should first consult with the Trump administration on the future of Russia sanctions.

"I see no reason to weaken or release the sanctions now," Ms Kallas said.

"Why I'm optimistic is that we have always finally reached the unity and have kept the unity so far, so I'm sure that we will work out this time as well,” she said, referring to previous discussions on sanctions.

She said EU officials were looking into what more might be done with Russian assets frozen inside the bloc. The bloc is currently using profits from the assets to aid Ukraine but has not used the assets themselves. REUTERS