Kaja Kallas highlights war's global destabilizing effects

On September 25, 2025, Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, addressed the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New York, highlighting the Russian war against Ukraine as a significant contributor to global instability. She pointed out that this war has disrupted food supply chains, led to ecological disasters, and propagated disinformation, ultimately undermining international standards. Kallas, stressing the urgency of building international pressure on Russia, noted that the absence of change in Russia's goals poses a substantial risk for peace negotiations. In her speech, Kallas asserted the EU's commitment to a comprehensive and lasting peace, positioning the EU as the foremost advocate for peace in Ukraine, while also being the largest humanitarian aid donor. She underlined the EU's financial support for both the Palestinian Authority and the two-state solution, signaling a broader commitment to global peace initiatives. By reinforcing its role in multilateral efforts, Kallas noted that the EU and its member states are leading contributors to the UN budget, further evidencing their dedication to international peace operations. Additionally, Kallas referenced UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing that investments in poverty alleviation should match support for military endeavors. This highlights the need for a paradigm shift in global priorities, especially during a time of high conflict. Kallas urged for revitalizing multilateral dialogue platforms, particularly the G20, to address emerging cracks in global governance mechanisms, particularly in the UN framework. The ongoing conflicts and territorial violations, the highest seen since World War II, signify the pressing need for an effective operational UN structure, which is currently deemed ineffective due to existing obstacles. The discussion also encompassed the shifting dynamics of international relations, where Kallas prompted all nations to take concerted action towards sustainable development that aligns with peace preservation. Through these remarks, Kallas consolidated the EU's role as a peace-centric entity in a world marked by instability, reinforcing a vision for a collaborative approach to addressing challenges posed by armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions.