EU urges end to war, warns Middle East escalation fuels global instability

BRUSSELS — European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday called for an end to the war in the Middle East, warning that continued escalation risks deepening global instability.Speaking as EU leaders gathered in Brussels, Kallas said, “It’s clear that we need an exit from this war, not escalation,” stressing the urgent need for de-escalation.She condemned Iran’s attacks on Qatar’s energy infrastructure, saying they “create further chaos” and heighten regional tensions.Kallas also linked the Middle East conflict to the war in Ukraine, noting that Russia stands to benefit from the ongoing escalation.“Russia is gaining from the war in the Middle East, so that’s why ending this war is equally important for finding a solution in Ukraine,” she said.The EU official added that member states are not in favor of expanding Operation Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz, with some countries indicating they were not consulted on recent developments.She also questioned the legal basis for any potential military action, stating that there is no clear foundation under international law for the use of force in this context.“The member states do not have an appetite to go to this war,” Kallas said.