INTERVIEW WITH KAJA KALLAS ⟩ "J.D. Vance Likely Addressed U.S. Domestic Audience in Munich; Trump Administration's Public Statements Don’t Fully Align with Our Private Talks"

Interviewer: Was there anything new or surprising in the remarks from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance following the meeting?

Kaja Kallas: I’ve met with J.D. Vance before, back when I was Prime Minister of Estonia, and I met with him again just a couple of days ago in Paris. It was a very, very good meeting. We discussed all the key topics on the table. I’ve spoken with several colleagues here, and they’ve had a similar experience.

We also had an excellent call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — once again, a very supportive message: Allies, let’s stand together.

That’s why some of these public statements are, in a way, surprising — they don’t quite reflect what we’ve discussed privately.

In my view, what’s most important is that we stay focused on the shared challenges we face on the global stage.

We’re having many meetings with U.S. representatives here in Munich. In fact, I just came from one where the aim was to explain our concerns and explore how we can work together more effectively.

Interviewer: Have there been any questions behind closed doors about the state of democracy and freedom of speech in Europe?

Kaja Kallas: No, there haven’t.

Interviewer: Who do you think Vance’s speech was directed at?

Kaja Kallas: I believe it was aimed at his domestic audience. But I don’t know for sure.

We can handle our internal issues on our own. What we need to address together with the Americans are the external threats.

Interviewer: To sum up the day more broadly: What is the current state of transatlantic relations?

Kaja Kallas: Judging from the meetings we’ve had, I would say transatlantic relations are in very good shape. We are allies, we are friends. Naturally, we have differences of opinion — we discuss them. That’s not surprising at all.

However, we still need to align our visions on how to end this war — what is required from both Europe and the United States, and what is truly at stake here. This isn’t only about Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and freedom. It’s about sovereignty and independence more broadly. Transatlantic security itself is on the line.

Interviewer: How to bring Europeans and Ukrainians to the Negotiating Table?

Kaja Kallas: The European message is clear. We are united, and no agreement or deal can be enforced without us — neither without Ukrainians nor without Europeans.

It is also in America’s interest that we are at the table. Right now, all efforts should focus on pressuring Putin because he does not want peace. If he did, he wouldn’t be bombing, like he did two days ago at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. He could easily show his willingness by stopping the bombing.

Interviewer: Do you believe Putin is willing to enter peace talks anytime soon?

Kaja Kallas: He will, but only when he thinks he can get everything he wants — and then some. He believes we are weaker and that he can simply outlast us. But that’s not the reality.

From the information we have, Russia’s economy is in a dire state, and they are even running out of tanks. We should not overestimate Russia’s strength nor underestimate our own.

Interviewer: Everyone says Ukraine must enter negotiations from a position of strength. How can that be achieved?

Kaja Kallas: Only through strong support for Ukraine — militarily, so they can defend themselves; economically, by increasing sanctions on Russia; and politically, by isolating Russia. These are the tools we have.

Interviewer: You have often raised concerns that Ukraine isn’t receiving enough aid. Where can new resources be found? I understand this is a key topic as you work on Europe’s White Paper on Defense.

Kaja Kallas: Yes, this is a fundamental issue. If you compare the U.S. and Europe — our transatlantic alliance — our economies combined are approximately 20 times bigger than Russia’s. So how is it possible that we can’t find these resources?

Yes, it requires tough decisions within member states — reallocating and increasing defense spending. But if we all agree around the table that security and defense are real problems, then we must discuss real solutions.

Interviewer: It seems that the U.S. public messaging has been something of a wake-up call for Europe. Is it helping to unite Europeans?

Kaja Kallas: Yes, it is helping to bring Europe together. I’ve spoken with many foreign ministers and heads of state here. Since everyone is in Munich, I’ve called for a meeting of EU foreign ministers tomorrow morning. The goal is to ensure we’re all on the same page and aligned in our direction.

Interviewer: How is your collaboration going with [Lithuanian Defense Commissioner] Andrius Kubilius, with whom you are drafting the White Paper?How have you divided the work between you?

Kaja Kallas: We work closely together, and it’s a good partnership — we have no differences in our understanding of the bigger picture. Our teams collaborate effectively.

He focuses heavily on the industrial side of defense capabilities, while I oversee the broader strategic outlook. Ultimately, we will present this paper together, and we are completely aligned — no fundamental disagreements at all.

Interviewer: And how do others feel about two Baltic representatives drafting a paper for all of Europe?

Kaja Kallas: You’d have to ask them, but I haven’t heard any complaints. Of course, everyone contributes their input.

We’ve held a major roundtable at the defense ministry level and received papers from various countries. I’ve never felt that anyone took issue with the fact that we are from the Baltics. If anything, our message resonates because it’s the same concern everyone shares.

But the most important thing is the result. Talk is one thing — action is another. We must ensure proper defense funding.

Interviewer: I’ve heard criticism from a Southern European diplomat, claiming that Kaja Kallas isn’t engaged with the Gaza issue. What’s your response?

Kaja Kallas: That’s absolutely not true. On the contrary, I was deeply involved with the Gaza and Middle East issues from the start. I’ve actually visited the region more times than Ukraine.

Just last night, we had a major discussion on Gaza. Of course, I know some expect the focus to be solely on Russia, which was also a critique before I even took office. But it’s simply not true.

On February 24, we have an EU-Israel Association Council meeting. We are working on multiple issues, including reopening the EUBAM Rafah mission — the EU Border Assistance Mission established in 2005 to support Palestinian Authority control of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. (The mission was suspended in 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza.) These actions show we are actively engaged.

Interviewer: As former Estonian Prime Minister, you must have encountered differences within the EU regarding the Middle East. Has there been more consensus since?

Kaja Kallas: It depends on perspective — whether you see the glass half full or half empty. But if you look at the principles we all agree on, there’s actually a lot of common ground:

All hostilities must end — on both sides.

All hostages must be released.

Europe supports a two-state solution.

Humanitarian aid must reach those in need.

And, eventually, Gaza must be rebuilt.

On these fundamental issues, we are united.

Interviewer: Do any European countries support the forced displacement of Palestinians?

Kaja Kallas: No, I haven’t heard any support for such an idea.

Just yesterday, I met with key regional players, and they’ve been very clear — publicly and privately — that this is not about real estate.

If you treat it like a real estate project, sure, it’s easier to rebuild without people there. But that’s not reality. Gaza can and should be rebuilt with its people in place. We all understand that if they leave, they may never return. We are united on this point — not only within Europe but also with our Arab and regional partners.

Interviewer: Finally, on a more personal note: How does your role as High Representative compare to being Prime Minister?

Kaja Kallas: Right now, it feels even more intense than my time as Prime Minister of Estonia. But maybe that’s because I’m comparing the start of this job to the end of my time as Prime Minister — it may not be a fair comparison.

A journalist recently asked me to look back at my calendar from my time as Prime Minister. When I did, everything came flooding back — the toughest period of COVID: schools open, schools closed, vaccine shortages — all that pressure. Then came the energy crisis, inflation, and at the same time, the largest buildup of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border since the Cold War.

Translated from Estonian.