Kallas pushes for EU seat at Ukraine peace talks

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas insists she should represent the bloc in Ukraine peace talks, stating all member states agreed on her role. She acknowledged Russia opposes her but asserted the EU decides its own representation. Kallas said she will act on a mandate from the 27 member states, not personal positions, and is ready to work with foreign ministers. She welcomed US recognition that Europeans are needed for any Russia-Ukraine agreement, hoping to influence outcomes. She criticized the US approach of sending individuals without institutional roles, emphasizing the EU's representation must be based on its institutions and a joint mandate. This underscores her push for Europe to be a substantive participant, not an observer.