Bloomberg Daybreak: Europe Edition Bonus Interview: EU's Kallas Warns 'Putin Is Banking on Us To Fail'
Dec 18, 2025
Kaja Kallas, Estonia's Prime Minister and a strong advocate for Ukraine, shares insights on the EU's crucial moment in supporting Kyiv during a summit in Brussels. She emphasizes that failed negotiations would signal weakness to Putin, who is counting on European disunity. Kallas discusses the potential use of frozen Russian assets for a significant loan to Ukraine and the importance of a unified EU approach to ensure security. Additionally, she calls for greater European confidence amid strained transatlantic relations and highlights the urgent need to pressure Russia for peace talks.
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Reparations-Backed Loan As Primary Option
- Using frozen Russian central bank assets for a reparations-backed loan is framed as the most viable financing option for Ukraine.
- Kaja Kallas argues it sends a threefold message to Ukraine, Russia and the United States about commitment and pressure.
Prioritize Plan A Over Plan B
- Focus on getting the primary financing plan agreed rather than prematurely discussing alternatives.
- Kaja Kallas warns that entertaining plan B risks making plan B become reality.
Unity Signals Russia Can't Outlast Us
- The EU must demonstrate unity to show Russia cannot outlast Western support for Ukraine.
- Kaja Kallas says success would reassure Ukraine, signal pressure to Russia, and show decisive transatlantic steps.