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EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, on Thursday said criticism from the Trump administration and some Gulf officials that Europe had not done enough during the war with Iran was "unfair," arguing that Europe did not create the crisis but has still provided substantial support.
She also called for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire and for Israel's heavy bombardment there to stop, according to remarks she gave to CNN.
Kallas said Europe has been doing a lot, including providing air defenses to the region, protecting the Red Sea, and supporting the Lebanese government.
She also said it could not be a one-way street, pointing to what she described as the lack of comparable Gulf support for Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Kallas said it was unfair to accuse Europe of not doing enough during the war.
"I feel that this is really unfair. Of course, we can all do more, but then the question is, do we also have our security theater in Europe. We have Russia's war," she said.
She argued that Europe did not create the situation in the region, yet was still contributing in several ways.
Kallas said Europe has been providing air defenses to the region, protecting the Red Sea and supporting the Lebanese government.
She said Europe and its partners would be stronger if they acted together in the same way their adversaries clearly do.
Kallas also said Gulf countries had largely failed to come to Europe's side when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
"We haven't seen really the Gulf countries helping us there, whereas it can't be only a one-way street," she said.
She said that if the two sides were in it together, they would be much stronger.
Her remarks framed Europe's role in the Iran war as part of a broader debate over burden-sharing and reciprocal support between Europe and Gulf partners.
Kallas also said that, based on her conversations with Pakistani officials, the brokered ceasefire agreement should include Lebanon.
She called for Israel's heavy bombardment there to stop.
"The response has been too heavy-handed. I mean the civilians killed. This is really not acceptable. So if it is not covered yet, then it should be covered now," she said.
Kallas said it was clear the ceasefire was fragile and that everything possible should be done to ensure it holds so the parties can sit down and negotiate.
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