Trump says US has had ‘productive discussions’ with Russia
By Kamil Szczepaniak| Newz Of The Day
Published February 28, 2025
EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas warns Putin ‘seeks advantage’
Trump convened his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday in which he said NATO membership was not an option for Ukraine. (Getty Images)
EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin “seeks advantage, not peace” ahead of a critical meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
European leaders remain skeptical of President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, as the EU’s top diplomat suggested Moscow is more interested in leverage than genuine negotiation.
Trump on Thursday stated that his administration has engaged in “productive discussions with Russia,” though he did not elaborate on whether substantial progress toward ending the conflict in Ukraine had been achieved.
Some NATO allies and longtime U.S. partners have expressed concern over Trump’s approach to Ukraine, seeing it as part of a broader effort to improve relations with Moscow at Europe’s expense.
“The U.S. is talking to Russia, and it is necessary to establish contacts,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told [News Outlet] in an exclusive interview. “But right now, Russia seeks to gain an advantage rather than pursue peace.”
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Trump reaffirms stance on NATO, Ukraine membership
President Trump convened a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where he reiterated that NATO membership for Ukraine was not an option. (Getty Images)
“[Russia] wants us to believe they can outlast us and that time is on their side,” Kallas added. “But that is not the case. If we escalate economic and political pressure while strengthening Ukraine militarily, Kyiv will gain a stronger position at the negotiation table.”
Kallas’ remarks come as Trump and Zelenskyy prepare to sign a strategic minerals agreement on Friday, a deal some analysts believe could lay the groundwork for future ceasefire talks.
Trump has long championed his ability to reopen dialogue with Russia while pushing NATO allies to bear more of the financial burden for Ukraine’s defense. While European defense budgets increased significantly following Russia’s 2022 invasion, the shifting U.S. position under Trump has left many European leaders unsettled.
While nations like the U.K. are eager to reaffirm their alignment with Washington, Germany’s incoming chancellor has signaled a desire to create distance from the U.S.—a shift not seen since World War II.
In her discussion with Fox News, Kallas also underscored the enduring importance of NATO, reminding the Trump administration that the alliance has only invoked Article 5 once in its 76-year history—following the 9/11 attacks.
EU WARNS TRUMP AGAINST ALLOWING PUTIN TO DIVIDE WESTERN ALLIES
EU diplomat Kaja Kallas warns of global threats
Kaja Kallas (Nicolas Landemard/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“In terms of global security, we must work alongside the United States, our longstanding ally,” she stated. “We have stood with America when called upon.”
Kallas, Estonia’s first female prime minister before taking on her EU role, cited NATO’s commitment to the U.S.-led War on Terror.
“Estonia lost as many soldiers per capita as the United States in those conflicts,” she noted. “We were there when you needed us. That is why it is painful to hear rhetoric suggesting Europe is not valued as an ally. Our partnership must be reciprocal.”
he EU chief diplomat has consistently urged Western nations to remain united in the face of Russian aggression, warning against divisions that could embolden Putin.
Ultimately, Kallas emphasized that Russia is not the only threat facing the transatlantic alliance, pointing to China, Iran, and North Korea as additional challenges to Western security.
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