UNITED NATIONS (Chatnewstv.com) — European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday she stands ready to pursue diplomacy with Iran to avoid a collapse of nuclear talks, while stressing that EU nations must respond firmly to Russia’s airspace violations and continue debating possible sanctions against Israel.
“I stand ready for all the talks and also a diplomatic solution,” Kallas told reporters after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in New York.
“It is clear that there has to be an agreement in the end that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
She acknowledged that time is running out before the so-called snapback of sanctions takes effect, adding: “What are the chances? Hard to tell.”
Asked whether NATO should shoot down Russian planes after the latest incursions, Kallas said Moscow was testing Western resolve.
“Russia is trying to sow fear within our societies,” she said.
“If the planes are violating airspace, every country has the right to defend itself and act accordingly.”
On the Middle East, Kallas said EU ministers discussed whether to move forward with sanctions against Israel, particularly over settlement expansion.
“The will of most member states who expressed their opinion was that we would proceed quickly to go on with the proposals that were put on the table,” she said, though final decisions will not come before October.
She also addressed divisions within the EU on recognizing Palestine after some states announced recognition earlier this year.
“All of the European countries support the two-state solution,” Kallas said.
“It is up to member states to recognise or not recognise any countries, but I think today we have a number of countries who are coming forward and recognising — which makes, I think, a majority of European countries recognizing Palestine.”
Kallas stressed that Hamas should play no role in Gaza’s future governance, saying the EU is preparing additional sanctions on the group’s leadership.
Watch her full speech at the UN security council 👇
