EU’s Kallas urges US to pressure Russia over Ukraine and Iran

2026-03-26 - 20:00

-European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday urged the United States to leverage its influence against Russia, drawing direct links between the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Speaking ahead of a G7 foreign ministers meeting in France, Kallas argued that Russian military assistance—including intelligence and drone technology—enables Iran to sustain attacks against neighboring countries and US installations in the region. She suggested that Washington could advance stability on both fronts by pressuring Moscow to cut off support for Tehran. Russian funding and territorial concessions under scrutiny Kallas warned that rising global oil prices are allowing Russia to replenish its war chest, prolonging the conflict in Ukraine. “The oil price hike is also giving Russia a possibility to fund this war again, which is really not good for the Ukrainians,” she stated, calling for increased bilateral support from European allies and the US. She emphasized that any durable peace must involve clear concessions from Russia rather than unilateral compromises from Kyiv. The EU’s top diplomat expressed particular concern over what she described as growing pressure from Washington on Ukraine to surrender territory in exchange for a ceasefire, labeling such a move “clearly a wrong approach.” Türkiye’s balancing role in regional conflicts Kallas’s remarks come as Türkiye continues to play a distinctive role in navigating the overlapping crises, maintaining dialogue with both Moscow and Kyiv while voicing opposition to any settlement that would legitimize territorial expansion through force. Ankara has consistently advocated for a negotiated end to the Ukraine war based on territorial integrity and has warned against the spillover effects of escalating Middle East hostilities. As G7 members weigh their next steps, Türkiye’s diplomatic positioning remains central to any broader effort to stabilize the region.