Interview: Kaja Kallas: “Russia Was Humiliated In Syria”

George V Magazine interviewed former Prime Minister of Estonia (from January 2021 to July 2024), Kaja Kallas has been  High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since December 1.

 Kaja KALLAS. – The question at the moment is not to recognize the Syrian government, but to assess its intentions. We must first check whether their actions match their words.  
The future of Syria  is full of hope, but still uncertain. We must check that there will be no civil war, radicalization, persecution of the many minorities, acts of revenge or reprisals. Europe’s support, especially humanitarian support, will not be unconditional.

In the meantime, aren’t we running the risk of letting Russia or China impose themselves in Syria?

Russia was humiliated in Syria. It weakened because its attention was elsewhere and it let Assad down. It is no longer fighting for Syria. As for China, I do not see how it could interfere because all the actors in the region are working to establish stability and unity in Syria, to attract investment to the region, to allow the return of refugees. That is why we are focusing our efforts on cooperation with these countries around Syria.

Is it appropriate for several EU countries to consider the conditions for the return of refugees to Syria?

We will discuss these issues at a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday. We need to have a common approach. Asylum policies are linked to a need for people to flee war zones or where they are persecuted. If these conditions fall, of course, the host countries can expect these people to return. This is also a concern of the electorate in several countries. And it is not only a European issue. In Syria’s neighbouring countries, we see refugees starting to return voluntarily. This is a positive signal. Is this premature? When do we decide that the country is safe to return to? It is too early to say.

Do you think that peace negotiations in Ukraine could begin this winter and what role could Europe play in them?

I spoke about this with President Zelensky when I went to see him in kyiv and he himself said that the European Union should be at the negotiating table when there is one. We can come up with scenarios about peace, but we must not forget that Russia does not want to negotiate. Without it, there is no point in talking about it. If Russia wants peace, it can obtain it very easily by withdrawing. It has not given up its goals of occupying Ukraine and advancing there. We must keep in mind that Putin really wants to humiliate Europe. We must not overestimate his power and underestimate ours. Under the influence of sanctions, the Russian economy is showing signs of great weakening. Russia is betting on the fact that we are talking about negotiations in order to gain time. But we have seen in Syria that it is not in a position to fight this fight to the end.

Could Donald Trump pressure Russia into negotiations ?

I don’t know what he’s going to do, beyond what he’s said in the media about wanting to end this war quickly. Yes, everyone wants this war to end quickly. By putting pressure on Russia, we could achieve that. If Donald Trump can achieve that, we can give him credit for that.

If Donald Trump reduces his military and financial support for Ukraine, will Europe be able to compensate?

Aid to Ukraine is not charity, it is an investment in our security. Not only that of Europe, but that of the whole world, including the United States, especially since North Korean soldiers are involved in this war. We see major naval exercises in the South China Sea: China is also learning from what Russia is doing. If the United States reduces its support, we will have to continue to help Ukraine. Because if Russia wins, we will have more wars, bigger wars. That is why we must increase our investments in defense. Russia invests 9% of its GDP in its defense. On average, Europeans are at 1.9%, although some countries, such as Poland or the Baltic countries, do more.

How can these investments be financed when European budgets are under pressure ?

We need to discuss the use of frozen Russian assets in Europe – not just their profits, but the capital. I know that this is a sensitive issue for some Member States. I think that we will get there, one way or another. After all the damage that Russia has inflicted on Ukraine, Ukraine has a legitimate right to compensation from Russia. However, in a conflict settlement agreement, we cannot imagine that the sanctions that freeze these assets, which we hold, will suddenly be lifted. 

Furthermore, I have made several proposals on financing and I am open to other ideas. There has been talk of loans for defence, some Member States are against it – let me be offered other options. During Covid, we felt the urgency of changing the rules to raise capital together. The problem with defence is that when we need it, it is already too late. If we all agree on the problem, let us find solutions together. If we want peace, we must prepare for war.

At the moment of this interview Kaja Kallas had an unsolved arrest warrant by the Russian Federation.