Kallas: Israeli Foreign Minister's Statement Came as a Surprise

In an interview with ERR, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's expression of disappointment over her comments came as a surprise. Kallas noted that she has been in constant communication with Israel, conveying the EU's stance, but acknowledged that those exchanges have not always been easy. She refused to confirm or deny whether she had described Israel's policies as apartheid, urging to focus on publicly available statements.

Kallas reiterated the EU's clear position in favor of a two-state solution, but stressed that the ongoing violence in the West Bank is making that goal increasingly unattainable. She also condemned the situation in Gaza despite the existing peace agreement, highlighting that European countries have spoken with unity on the matter. She added that Israel is currently in the midst of an election campaign, which turns foreign policy statements into part of domestic political struggles.

Regarding next steps, Kallas mentioned strong pressure within the Foreign Affairs Council to end trade with Israel's illegal settlements. She remains open to dialogue but emphasized that the major question is what measures to take to influence the Israeli government.

On Russia, Kallas argued that the key issue is not who is talking but what they intend to say. She insisted that Russia must be asked for much more than simply ending the war – a wide range of concessions must be demanded to prevent a future attack. She also expressed concern that no country from the EU's eastern flank is being included in these contacts, pointing to poor historical examples of negotiations with Russia.