European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Tuesday that the bloc is largely acting alone in its support for Ukraine despite repeated appeals to international partners for assistance.
Speaking at a press conference following an EU foreign ministers’ meeting, Kallas said that while the EU provides significant aid globally — including to Sudan and Somalia — its efforts for Ukraine lack comparable backing from other nations.
“We are the biggest donors in Sudan, in Somalia — you can list it all over the world. But where we have a problem — this is Ukraine — we are there practically alone and are the biggest helpers. Not completely alone, but this worries us,” Kallas stated, according to a transcript published on the EU’s official website.
She emphasized that the EU remains a key donor to Kyiv and has trained more than 90,000 Ukrainian military personnel since February 2022, a figure cited during the same briefing.
Kallas likewise noted that EU foreign ministers urged swift progress on the 20th sanctions package against Russia, calling for accelerated adoption of measures targeting Moscow’s war effort.
she revealed that the EU is engaging with Gulf states on potential cooperation regarding sanctions against both Iran and Russia, aiming to strengthen pressure through broader international coordination.
The concerns echo earlier warnings from Kallas about limited partner engagement, including her observation that Gulf countries have not provided notable support to Europe on Ukraine-related issues, which could affect future EU-Gulf dialogue on Middle Eastern affairs.
Separately, she had previously informed colleagues that the EU is preparing to impose sanctions on Georgia, though one member state continues to block the initiative.
Why is the EU concerned about acting alone in supporting Ukraine?
Kallas said the situation causes worry given that, despite the EU’s global humanitarian role, it lacks sufficient partner involvement specifically for Ukraine, making the burden fall disproportionately on Brussels and member states.
What action are EU ministers pushing for regarding Russia?
EU foreign ministers urged rapid advancement on the 20th sanctions package against Russia during their Tuesday meeting, as stated by Kallas.
Is the EU working with other regions on sanctions?
Yes, Kallas said the EU is closely engaging with Gulf states to explore cooperation on sanctions targeting both Iran and Russia.