New EU chiefs go to Kyiv on first day of mandate

The EU’s new high diplomat Kaja Kallas and head of the European Council Antonio Costa have arrived in Kyiv in a symbolic present of assist for Ukraine on their first day in workplace.

“We got here to offer a transparent message that we stand with Ukraine, and we proceed to offer our full assist,” Mr Costa mentioned.

The European Union’s new management workforce is eager to display it stays agency on backing Kyiv at a dangerous second for Ukraine almost three years into its battle towards Russia’s all-out invasion.

Questions are swirling round the way forward for US assist as soon as Donald Trump assumes workplace in January and there are fears he may drive Ukraine to make painful concessions in pursuit of a fast peace deal.

In the meantime, tensions have escalated as Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to strike authorities buildings in Kyiv together with his new Oreshnik missile after firing it at Ukraine for the primary time final month.

He mentioned the transfer is a response to Ukraine getting the inexperienced mild to strike inside Russia with US and British missiles, and he has threatened to hit again towards the nations supplying the weaponry.

It’s a privilege to be in Kyiv alongside @eucopresident Costa and Commissioner Kos.

In my first go to since taking on workplace, my message is evident: the European Union desires Ukraine to win this warfare.

We are going to do no matter it takes for that. pic.twitter.com/swv1ZVAlyL

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 1, 2024

As winter begins Russia has additionally unleashed devastating barrages towards Ukraine’s energy grid and on the frontline Ukraine’s fatigued forces are shedding floor to Moscow’s grinding offensive.

“The state of affairs in Ukraine could be very, very grave,” Ms Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, mentioned. “But it surely’s clear that it comes at a really excessive value for Russia as nicely.”

The brand new EU leaders – the bloc’s high officers together with European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen – have been set to carry talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Zelensky on Friday appeared to start staking out his place forward of any potential peace talks.

He known as on NATO to supply assured protections to elements of Ukraine managed by Kyiv as a way to “cease the recent stage of the warfare”, and implied he would then be keen to attend to regain different territory seized by Russia.

“If we communicate ceasefire, (we’d like) ensures that Putin is not going to come again,” Mr Zelensky advised Sky Information.

Ms Kallas mentioned that “the strongest safety assure is NATO membership.”

“We have to positively focus on this – if Ukraine decides to attract the road someplace then how can we safe peace in order that Putin does not go any additional,” she mentioned.

Diplomats at NATO say there seems little prospect of the alliance granting Ukraine membership quickly given opposition from a raft of members cautious of getting dragged into warfare with Russia.

Ms Kallas mentioned the EU “should not actually rule out something” by way of the query of sending European troops to assist implement any ceasefire.

“We should always have this strategic ambiguity round this,” she mentioned.

Mr Trump has solid doubt on persevering with the US’s huge assist for Ukraine and known as on EU nations to do extra.

Ms Kallas mentioned the EU would use a “transactional language” to attempt to persuade Mr Trump that backing Ukraine was within the curiosity of the US.

“Assist for Ukraine just isn’t charity,” she mentioned. “A victory for Russia positively emboldens China, Iran, North Korea.”

The brand new EU international coverage chief mentioned the bloc would proceed in search of to place Ukraine within the “strongest” place – if and when Ukraine selected it was time to barter with Russia.

However she conceded that it was changing into “more and more tough” for the 27-nation bloc to agree on new methods to ramp up assist for Ukraine.

“This warfare has been occurring for fairly a while and it’s tougher and tougher to clarify it to our personal individuals,” she mentioned. “However I do not see any choice.”