Kaja Kallas, head of the EU diplomacy: "Russia is not serious about peace"

Brussels, January 29, 2026 – Arriving today at the Foreign Affairs Council, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, presented a harsh assessment of the global geopolitical landscape for the year 2026. With a "very busy agenda," she addressed the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and pressure on the rules-based international order.

In brief

Kallas dismisses the discussions in Abu Dhabi as unserious, as Russia has only sent military personnel without a political mandate. The EU is preparing to include the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the list of terrorist organizations, putting them on par with Al Qaeda and Daesh. The High Representative warns of strained transatlantic ties and emphasizes the need for tangible security guarantees for Ukraine.

Kallas began by firmly rejecting the legitimacy of the recent discussions in Abu Dhabi. She emphasized that the Russian delegation was composed solely of military personnel, lacking any negotiation mandate, a sign she interprets as evidence that Moscow "is certainly not serious about peace." Instead, she accused Russia of trying to "bomb and intimidate" Ukrainians into surrender, targeting critical infrastructure during a harsh winter. She confirmed that the EU will blacklist Russia regarding money laundering to increase pressure.

Regarding the Middle East, Kallas announced a significant shift in EU policy towards Iran. "I expect us to agree on including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the terrorist list," she stated. This move would place the IRGC on the same legal footing as Al Qaeda and Hamas. "If you act like a terrorist, you should be treated like a terrorist," she argued, citing the regime's severe crackdown on protests. She assured that, despite the designation, diplomatic channels would remain open.

Kallas also touched on the broader geopolitical context, mentioning that "transatlantic ties are no longer the same." Responding to questions about security guarantees and potential territorial concessions from Ukraine, she warned against blurring reality: "Russia is the one committing aggression... It is very important to provide tangible security guarantees." Regarding the idea of a separate "European Army," she expressed skepticism, advocating instead for the use of existing national armies within NATO structures to avoid confusing chains of command.