European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the war in Ukraine, Iran and China on Tuesday in their first phone conversation since the Trump administration took office on January 20.
The call comes amid growing concerns in Europe about what the new administration, with its "America First" policy, means for transatlantic ties related to defense, security, the economy, trade and other areas.
"We discussed global issues where the European Union and the United States have common interests, including Russia's war in Ukraine, Iran's malign influence, and the challenges posed by China," Ms Kallas wrote on the social media platform 'X'.
"The EU and the US are always stronger together. I look forward to meeting you soon," she wrote further.
An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ms. Kallas and Mr. Rubio were focused on shared priorities.
"They agreed on the necessity of maintaining maximum pressure on Moscow to move towards achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the official said.
"The two senior officials also addressed Iran's destabilizing role as well as the political transition in Syria," the same official said.
US President Donald Trump has demanded that NATO members increase defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – a significant increase compared to the current target of 2% and a level that no NATO country, including the United States, currently meets.
Ms. Kallas "highlighted Europe's growing investment in defense and its readiness to take on greater responsibility, alongside the importance of diversifying energy sources," the EU official said. VOA (A2 Televizion)
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