Disputes among allies must not distract from support for Ukraine, Kallas says
Photo: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
China and Russia benefit from divisions among Western allies, while internal disputes risk undermining shared security and economic prosperity, according to a statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas published on the social media platform X.
According to her, any security-related issues, including those concerning Greenland, should be resolved within the framework of NATO.
Kaja Kallas also warned against the introduction of tariffs, saying such measures risk making both Europe and the United States poorer and undermining shared economic prosperity. At the same time, she stressed that disagreements among allies must not distract from the core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
She emphasized that allies cannot allow their disputes to divert attention from the primary objective of supporting efforts to stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
EU stance on US tariffs
The European Union scheduled an emergency meeting of EU ambassadors for January 18 after US President Donald Trump pledged to impose tariffs over Greenland. Diplomats said the meeting was expected to begin at 5:00 PM.
On January 17, Trump announced tariffs against eight European countries, saying the measures would be introduced in two stages and would remain in force until the Greenland issue was resolved.
Within hours, European leaders said they were ready to deliver a coordinated response to the tariff threats. Statements were issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Macron said Europe would not yield to tariff pressure and would act in unity if the US threats were carried out. Kristersson echoed that stance, stating that Sweden would not allow itself to be blackmailed. Von der Leyen, in turn, confirmed that the EU stood in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
