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ISLAMABAD: European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called on the United States and Israel to end their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/senior-us-counterterrorism-official-resigns-to-protest-iran-war" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">war with Iran</a>, saying the bloc is working with Middle Eastern countries to find a diplomatic way out of the conflict, international media reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;Kallas said the EU was consulting regional governments, including Gulf states, Jordan and Egypt, to explore proposals that could help de-escalate tensions and bring all sides to the negotiating table, US News reported, citing Reuters.&nbsp;&ldquo;It would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops,&rdquo; she said, warning that conflicts are easier to start than to end and can quickly spiral out of control.&nbsp;The EU&rsquo;s top diplomat said Europe was open to playing a role in ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that any involvement would likely be diplomatic rather than military.&nbsp;Kallas also acknowledged growing unease in Europe over Washington&rsquo;s approach, saying the EU did not fully understand some US actions or objectives in Iran, but had adapted to what she described as increasing unpredictability.&nbsp;The conflict has further strained transatlantic ties, with Kallas noting that European countries were not consulted before the war began and had, in fact, urged restraint.&nbsp;However, she noted that any agreement would depend on the willingness of regional stakeholders, particularly Iran, to engage in such arrangements. Her remarks come as several European nations have rejected calls by Donald Trump to join a US-led mission to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-18" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">reopen the vital shipping route</a>, which remains largely disrupted due to Iran&rsquo;s control. European leaders have expressed reluctance to deploy forces in a conflict they say they did not initiate. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, President Trump said&nbsp;NATO was making a &quot;foolish mistake&quot; on Iran, after the military alliance&#39;s members largely rebuffed his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic. &quot;I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,&quot; Trump told reporters as he hosted Ireland&#39;s prime minister in the Oval Office. &quot;When they say it (Iran) was a threat, but we&#39;re not going to help, I think they&#39;re very foolish.&quot; Earlier, Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that if&nbsp;the Middle East war spread, it could create a &quot;permanent&quot; refugee crisis, Turkey&#39;s top diplomat warned Tuesday as Lebanon said Israel&#39;s bombardment had displaced over a million people. &quot;If the war... spreads, there is a possibility this will turn into a permanent refugee crisis with refugees seeking shelter outside the borders of their countries,&quot; Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a news conference. &quot;This needs to stop as soon as possible.&quot;

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calls for de-escalation as tensions rise between the United States, Israel, and Iran, urging diplomatic solutions to avoid a wider global crisis. (Photo: (Screengrab/X @kajakallas)

Europe

The EU’s top diplomat says Europe was open to playing a role in ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that any involvement would likely be diplomatic rather than military.

EU's Kallas urges US, Israel to end Iran war amid energy crisis

MUNICH: EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas pushed back Sunday against &quot;bashing&quot; of Europe by the United States, saying Russia must be forced to make concessions in talks to end the war in Ukraine. &quot;Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/chinese-fm-wants-to-work-with-canadian-counterpart-to-eliminate-interference" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Europe</a> is not facing civilizational erasure,&quot; Kallas said on the last day of the Munich Security Conference. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-and-europe-belong-together-rubio" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;on Saturday reassured allies by saying Washington and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/european-debate-over-nuclear-weapons-gains-pace-at-munich-security-conference" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Europe</a> &quot;belong together&quot; -- but insisted the continent must defend against mass migration to protect its &quot;civilization&quot;. &quot;The message that we heard is that America and Europe are intertwined, have been in the past and will be in the future. I think this is important,&quot; Kallas said. &quot;It is also clear that we don&#39;t see eye to eye in all the issues, and this will remain the case,&quot; she said. The gathering in Munich has seen European officials insist that the continent must take the lead in its defense in the face of an aggressive Russia and doubts about the reliability of the United States, as President Donald Trump upends ties. &lsquo;Need to reclaim European agency&rsquo;&quot;There is an urgent need to reclaim European agency,&quot; Kallas said. She said European defense &quot;starts in Ukraine&quot; and depends on how Russia&#39;s war ends as the United States pushes efforts to stop the fighting. &quot;Let&#39;s be clear-eyed about Russia. Russia is no superpower,&quot; Kallas said, insisting the country was &quot;broken.&quot; &quot;The greatest threat Russia presents right now is that it gains more at the negotiation table than it has achieved on the battlefield.&quot; Size of Russia&rsquo;s military&nbsp;The EU top diplomat called for the size of Russia&#39;s military to be capped, said Moscow must pay for damages caused, and be held accountable for war crimes. France&#39;s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, backed calls for Europe to pay less attention to what the US says and to focus on bolstering its own capabilities. &quot;I think the worst lesson we could draw from this weekend is to say, well, I can cling to some love words that I heard in part of his speech and push the snooze button,&quot; Haddad said of Rubio&#39;s address. &quot;Focus on what we can control, focus on our rearmament, on the support for Ukraine and the threat that Russia poses to all of our democracies.&quot;

‘Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilizational erasure,’ says Kaja Kallas on the last day of the Munich Security Conference.

EU top diplomat rejects Europe 'bashing' by US

ISLAMABAD: The European Union&nbsp;and&nbsp;China have&nbsp;called for calm and restraint in Venezuela following the aftermath of the US intervention in the country.&nbsp;The statement, issued by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, is supported by 26 EU member states, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.&nbsp;Kallas shared the statement on her social media account, X, on Monday.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 777px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007902058876448897&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=e7b973618ac13baeaa9694f9063a7a18ae1fa8fe&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> In the statement, the EU emphasized that all actors must avoid escalation and work toward a peaceful resolution to the crisis. It reiterated the importance of upholding international law and the UN Charter, noting that members of the United Nations Security Council bear a particular responsibility in maintaining the international security framework. Blatant use of forceChina condemned the &ldquo;blatant use of force against Venezuela&rdquo;, which&nbsp;&ldquo;violates international law and basic norms in international relations&rdquo;, said the China Foreign Office Spokesperson in a statement on X. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 775px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2008131825722601581&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard&sessionId=f576ada351bffaf2abd0c5d850ae9b1d9fee840d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;It said that the move &ldquo;infringes upon Venezuela&rsquo;s sovereignty and threatens peace and security&rdquo; in Latin America and the Caribbean region.&nbsp;&ldquo;China calls on parties to respect Venezuela&rsquo;s right to independently choosing development path, and work for stability and the return of order in Venezuela&rdquo;, said the statement.&nbsp;The statement added that it supports the UN Security Council &ldquo;in holding an emergency meeting to discuss the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela&rdquo; and supports the &ldquo;Council in playing its due role according to its mandate.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;China is ready to work with the international community to firmly defend the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international justice&rdquo;, concluded the statement.&nbsp;Venezuelan-led transition to democracyThe EU has consistently stated that Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader and has advocated for a Venezuelan-led transition to democracy that respects the country&rsquo;s sovereignty. The statement stressed that the Venezuelan people&rsquo;s right to determine their own future must be respected. The EU also highlighted the importance of combating transnational organized crime and drug trafficking while stressing that such challenges must be addressed in full respect of international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. Unconditional release of political prisoners&nbsp;Kallas&rsquo; statement noted that the EU is in close contact with the United States, as well as regional and international partners, to support dialogue with all parties, aiming for a negotiated, democratic, inclusive, and peaceful solution led by Venezuelans themselves. The statement underlined that respecting the will of the Venezuelan people is essential for restoring democracy and resolving the ongoing crisis. It also called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners currently detained in Venezuela and confirmed that EU Member States&rsquo; consular authorities are coordinating efforts to protect the safety of EU citizens, including those detained illegally in the country.

Americas

China, EU reiterate the importance of upholding international law and the UN Charter, noting that members of the United Nations Security Council bear a particular responsibility in maintaining the international security framework

China, EU call for calm in Venezuela following US intervention

DOHA: European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Saturday that the United States was still Europe&#39;s main ally as she sought to downplay a new US National Security Strategy critical of European institutions. &quot;Of course, there&#39;s a lot of criticism, but I think some of it is also true,&quot; Kallas told the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference in Qatar&rsquo;s capital, in response to a question about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/new-trump-strategy-says-us-to-readjust-global-presence-pakistan-tv-digital" style="color:#0073e6;">US strategy</a>. The &ldquo;US is still our biggest ally... I think we haven&rsquo;t always seen eye to eye on different topics, but I think the overall principle is still there. We are the biggest allies, and we should stick together.&rdquo; &lsquo;Civilizational erasure&rsquo;Washington&#39;s new National Security Strategy, published early Friday, took aim at Europe, calling it over-regulated, lacking in &ldquo;self-confidence&rdquo; and facing &ldquo;civilizational erasure&rdquo; due to immigration.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/c0f9405b-600c-4d8d-89bb-2747ed92c15c-Untitled(4).jpg" alt="Untitled(4).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">DOHA: EU Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (3rdL) speaks during a panel session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. -- Photo by AFP</figcaption></figure>The document puts into writing the offensive launched months ago by US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration against Europe, which the US has accused of taking advantage of American generosity, a radical departure from previous US policy. &lsquo;More self-confident&rsquo;&ldquo;Europe has been underestimating its own power. Towards Russia, for example... we should be more self-confident,&rdquo; Kallas said. Ukrainian and US officials will hold a third straight day of talks in Miami on Saturday, in discussions aimed at ending over three years of war with Russia. Washington&rsquo;s plan involves Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not been able to win on the battlefield in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv&#39;s aspirations to join NATO. &lsquo;Not only in Ukraine or Gaza&rsquo;&ldquo;Putting limitations and stress on Ukraine actually does not bring us long-lasting peace,&rdquo; Kallas told the Doha Forum. &ldquo;If aggression is rewarded, we will see it happen again, and not only in Ukraine or Gaza, but all around the world,&rdquo; she added.

Says ‘US is still our biggest ally... I think we haven’t always seen eye to eye on different topics, but I think the overall principle is still there. We are the biggest allies.’

Articles tagged with "Kaja Kallas"

EU's Kallas urges US, Israel to end Iran war amid energy crisis

EU top diplomat rejects Europe 'bashing' by US

China, EU call for calm in Venezuela following US intervention

US still EU’s ‘biggest ally’, says Kaja Kallas