EU Diplomat Pushes Back on Trump's Claim That EU Was Made to 'Screw' the US

Chief European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas has bluntly refuted former President Donald Trump’s assertion that the European Union was formed to "screw" the United States. Speaking on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Kallas emphasized the EU's roots as a peacekeeping project.

"Europe is a peace project," Kallas stated. "It was created so that we wouldn't have wars between the members of the European Union, and we haven't had any. And, of course, also to do things together, cooperate more." A fair point—after centuries of Europe fighting like siblings over the last slice of cake, the EU has been a game-changer.

Kallas, who hails from Estonia, highlighted the role the U.S. itself played in encouraging her country to join the EU two decades ago. "We were actually pushed by the Americans, [who said] you will not get into NATO, but Europe, the European Union, is something that you should join because it's a good project also for transatlantic relations," she remarked, expressing surprise at Trump's critique. Ouch—that's like your friend hyping up a party, then trashing it later.

The diplomat also underscored the EU's united support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Working closely with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kallas described the fight in Ukraine as much more than a territorial dispute. "The fight that Ukraine is having is not only about Ukraine's sovereignty but much, much broader. It's about freedom of the free world, really," she said. Bold words for a bold situation.

Kallas insisted that economic pressure on Russia could bring its war machine to a halt. "We shouldn't overestimate the power of Russia and underestimate our own power," she argued. Highlighting Russia’s economic struggles—like inflation over 20% and a depleted National Fund—she called for continued Western efforts to weaken the Kremlin financially. "If we concentrate our efforts, we can put the pressure so that they would stop the war." A reminder that sometimes the wallet, not the weapon, delivers the knockout punch.

Her comments come in the wake of Trump’s recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he suggested Ukraine "doesn't have the cards" and should sue for peace instead of relying on continuous U.S. aid. A sentiment that’s bound to stir debate on whether peace at any cost is truly peace at all.