EU’s Kallas expresses frustration towards Spanish Prime Minister – Euractiv

The European Union’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has firmly rejected Spain’s suggestion to appoint a special representative for negotiating a peace agreement regarding Ukraine, as reported by various news agencies citing informed sources.

At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed support for the proposal to designate an envoy for Ukraine, a notion that had previously received backing from Finland and Croatia.

“We require a negotiating team and a representative who can voice the concerns of European citizens,” Sanchez stated to the press.

Kallas was reportedly “angered” by the Prime Minister’s remarks, asserting that she was the appropriate individual to lead discussions with both Russia and Ukraine, according to Euractiv, which referenced an EU diplomat.

Bloomberg reported that Kallas was “offended” by Sanchez’s stance, leading to a “heated exchange” between them in private. “What am I here for?” she reportedly asked, as per Bloomberg’s sources.

Politico Europe quoted two EU diplomats who indicated that Kallas maintained that it was her responsibility to represent the bloc, arguing that appointing someone new would be “unhelpful.”

EU member states have felt marginalized since US President Donald Trump initiated direct discussions with Russia without their consent. Trump, emphasizing his priority to save lives, held conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky this week, resulting in an agreement for a 30-day halt on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. Additionally, Trump has refrained from committing to unconditional support for Ukraine and has not provided specific security assurances.

The diplomatic response was not the sole issue of disagreement in Brussels. Reports indicate that Spain and Italy opposed Kallas’ proposal to secure an additional €40 billion ($43 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, deeming it excessively expensive.

Sanchez also expressed discontent with the terminology and priorities outlined in the European Commission’s newly presented plan to generate up to €800 billion ($868 billion) for the EU’s rearmament. He emphasized on Thursday that “the challenges we encounter in the southern neighborhood differ somewhat from those faced by the eastern flank.”