The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has emphasized the bloc's position regarding both the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, Kallas stated that EU ministers are set to discuss the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. While noting that a full consensus has not yet been reached on the matter, the official underscored the EU's determination, stating, "We will continue to apply the necessary pressure." She further remarked that in potential Russia-Ukraine negotiations, the concessions Russia is prepared to make are more significant than the specific participants involved in the talks.
Regarding the Middle East, Kallas expressed the EU's desire to be an integral part of the Gaza peace process, highlighting the role of specialized missions. She emphasized that projects such as "EUBAM Rafah" (EU Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing) and "EUPOL COPPS" (EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories) could be decisive in restoring regional stability. According to Kallas, a professional Palestinian police force is essential for the disarmament of Hamas, and "EUPOL COPPS" could provide significant expertise in this area.
The EU's involvement in these regions reflects its broader strategy to act as a global security actor and mediator. The "EUPOL COPPS" mission, established in 2006, focuses on supporting the Palestinian Authority in building sustainable and effective policing and wider criminal justice institutions. Similarly, the activation of the Rafah mission is seen as a critical step toward ensuring secure humanitarian corridors and border management in the Gaza Strip, aligning with international efforts to achieve a long-term ceasefire and political resolution in the region.
