EU foreign chief warns Russia that intimidation will only fuel more aggression

During a side interview at the UN General Assembly, EU high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas cautioned that Russia is using intimidation to push Europe away from backing Ukraine, warning that capitulation would only make Moscow bolder. Kallas, whose mother and grandparents endured Soviet deportations to Siberia, highlighted the personal and regional history behind her stance. Although Estonian and other Baltic intelligence services see no evidence of an imminent large-scale invasion, she noted an increase in sabotage and hybrid attacks across Europe, linking them to a strategy of weakening Western resolve.

Kallas urged that a credible defence posture is essential for deterrence and called on Russia to stop bombing civilians, propose a ceasefire, and sit down for negotiations. She suggested coordinated sanctions from the US, Europe and the UK could shift Moscow’s calculations.