Why Kallas Believes the US Is Europe’s Strongest Ally in Today’s Global Climate
In the wake of a stark U.S. National Security Strategy that questioned Europe’s democratic vitality and strategic confidence, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas delivered a clear and resolute response. Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar, Kallas acknowledged the pointed American criticism but firmly reaffirmed a foundational truth: the United States is still Europe’s biggest and most critical ally.
The U.S. strategy document, published by the Trump administration, contained unusually blunt language, warning of Europe’s potential “civilizational erasure” and suggesting the continent may lose its standing as a reliable partner. It framed the U.S. goal as one of helping Europe “correct its current trajectory.”
Rather than dismissing the assessment, Kallas engaged with its substance. “There’s a lot of criticism, but I think some of it is also true,” she stated, pinpointing a key European shortfall: a historic tendency to underestimate its own power and resolve, particularly regarding Russia. Her call for Europe to become “more self-confident” was not a rejection of the transatlantic bond, but a prescription for strengthening it.
Her central message, however, was one of unity over division. “We should be more self-confident,” she noted, immediately following with the declaration that the “US is still our biggest ally.” This juxtaposition is crucial. Kallas envisions a partnership not of dependency, but of confident, capable allies standing together. She acknowledged that the two sides “haven’t always seen eye to eye on different topics,” yet emphasized that the shared principle of alliance endures.
In an era of shifting global pressures and internal challenges, Kallas’s stance serves as a strategic anchor. It recognizes that constructive criticism within an alliance can be a catalyst for necessary growth, while the underlying partnership remains non-negotiable. For Europe, the path forward involves building the self-assurance to act decisively, precisely so it can stand more firmly alongside the United States, not apart from it. The strength of the alliance, she argues, depends on both sides upholding their commitment to stick together.
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