European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has issued a strong call for maximum restraint from all parties involved in the escalating Middle East conflict, warning that a prolonged war would inflict severe damage not only on the region but also on Europe and the wider international community.
Speaking at the EU Ambassadors’ Conference in Brussels on Monday, March 9, 2026, Kallas described the current situation as a “totally new phase of uncertainty” triggered by the ongoing US-Israel military operations against Iran. She emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians, uphold international law, and prevent further escalation that could spiral into broader regional and global instability.
“The Middle East tends to lose greatly from any drawn-out war, so do we in Europe and so does the world,” Kallas stated. “That is why the European Union continues to call on all involved to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and defend and respect international law.”
The high representative pointed to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, in a US-Israeli strike, followed by retaliatory actions and sustained attacks, as having fundamentally altered the regional landscape. “As of 10 days ago, we are in a totally new situation in the Middle East,” she noted, adding that the trajectory of the crisis remains unpredictable and fraught with risks of deeper humanitarian suffering and instability.
While acknowledging the weakened position of the Iranian regime—“Iran’s military capabilities are limited and the regime is weaker than it has ever been before”—Kallas accused Tehran of bearing long-standing responsibility for fueling violence across the region through proxy groups and destabilizing activities. She stressed, however, that the priority must remain de-escalation to avoid a wider conflagration.
The EU has already activated practical measures in response to the crisis. Kallas highlighted the bloc’s civil protection mechanism, which has been mobilized to coordinate emergency assistance, and the organization of evacuation flights to bring European citizens out of high-risk areas. EU naval operations in the region are also actively safeguarding critical shipping routes, particularly in light of disruptions linked to the reported closure or severe restriction of the Strait of Hormuz.
Looking ahead, Kallas indicated that the EU is preparing additional initiatives to bolster regional security cooperation and support diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring calm. The bloc’s approach remains rooted in multilateralism, respect for international norms, and the protection of civilian lives.
Kallas broadened her remarks to connect the Middle East crisis to other global challenges, particularly Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. She warned that the erosion of international law is a recurring factor driving instability worldwide. “Defending international law remains central to European foreign policy,” she asserted, noting that failure to uphold these principles could embolden aggressors and lead to cascading crises.
To illustrate the EU’s commitment, Kallas revealed that the bloc has provided €195 billion in total support to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, making the European Union Kyiv’s single largest donor and backer. This figure encompasses military, financial, humanitarian, and reconstruction aid, underscoring Europe’s resolve to stand against violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The high representative’s speech reflects growing alarm in Brussels over the convergence of multiple geopolitical flashpoints. With global oil prices surging past $100 per barrel, supply chain disruptions mounting, and inflationary pressures threatening to intensify, EU leaders are increasingly focused on shielding citizens from the economic fallout while advocating for diplomatic off-ramps in the Middle East.
Kallas’s call for restraint arrives at a critical juncture, as military operations continue and diplomatic channels remain strained. The EU’s position—balancing condemnation of destabilizing actions, support for allies, and urgent appeals for de-escalation—highlights the bloc’s effort to navigate a rapidly deteriorating security environment without direct military entanglement.
As ambassadors gathered in Brussels assess the implications for EU foreign policy, the message from Kallas was clear: prolonged conflict serves no one’s interests, and restoring respect for international law is essential to preventing further global disorder. Further EU actions, including potential sanctions adjustments, humanitarian expansions, or enhanced naval presence, are expected in the coming days depending on how the situation unfolds.
