EU foreign policy chief says Europe must be more confident after US strategy criticism

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has said that Europe should be more confident about its own strength, particularly in relations with Russia, after a new US National Security Strategy, released by the White House on 4 December, offered a sharply critical assessment of Europe.

Source: Politico, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Speaking during a panel discussion at the Doha Forum, Kallas said that while critical remarks from the US administration might have some basis, Europe should place greater trust in its own power, including in its approach to Russia.

Quote: "Europe has been underestimating its own power toward Russia, for example. We should be more self-confident, that's for sure."

More details: The 33-page document claims that European countries face "civilizational erasure", partly because they accept migrants. It accuses some European governments of unfairly censoring certain political parties, mostly from the far right.

It also suggests that Europeans are an obstacle to efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

The Trump administration has made clear that it still views European countries as important allies but also indicates it will try to support far-right parties on the continent.

Asked by the panel moderator, CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, whether the US sees Europe as an "enemy", Kallas rejected that idea and stressed the importance of transatlantic ties.

Quote: "The US is still our biggest ally."

More details: Kallas also added that while Europe and the US may not always agree on different issues, both sides must remain united.

Background:

• US presidential adviser Alex Bruesewitz recently visited Germany and told leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany party that he regards them as "bold visionaries" shaping the country's future.
• After the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the entire Alternative for Germany as a right-wing extremist party, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this was not democracy but "tyranny in disguise".
• Bundestag (German parliament) members Steffen Kotré and Rainer Rothfuß of the Alternative for Germany party plan a trip to Sochi in mid-November.

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