BRUSSELS, Monday, March 16, 2026 (WNP): European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday warned of mounting global security risks as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine increasingly intersect, stressing the urgent need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and maintain pressure on Russia.

Speaking upon arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Kallas said the bloc faced a “packed agenda,” with discussions ranging from a new European Security Strategy to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

She cautioned that growing international focus on the Middle East must not divert attention from Ukraine, warning that any easing of sanctions on Russia—particularly on oil—could strengthen Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort. “We need them to have less money for waging the war, not more,” she said.

Kallas emphasized that the closure or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz would have far-reaching consequences, not only for global energy markets but also for food security. She noted that around 85 percent of oil and gas shipments passing through the waterway are destined for Asian markets, while fertiliser supply chains could also be severely impacted.

During the weekend, Kallas held talks with António Guterres on potential international initiatives to ensure continued maritime flows, drawing parallels with the Black Sea grain corridor established during the Ukraine war. She warned that disruptions to fertiliser supplies this year could lead to food shortages in vulnerable regions next year.

The EU is also considering adjustments to its maritime security mission EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operating in the region, including a possible expansion of its mandate to help safeguard shipping routes. Kallas said discussions would focus on whether member states are willing to deploy the necessary resources, alongside proposals for a broader “coalition of the willing.”

Addressing questions on Russia, Kallas said Moscow has shown little genuine interest in negotiations, instead intensifying attacks to pursue maximalist objectives. She called for increased pressure through sanctions, enforcement of oil price caps, and continued financial support for Ukraine, including a proposed €90 billion package.

Responding to concerns over NATO’s role, Kallas noted that operations in the Strait of Hormuz fall outside the alliance’s formal area of responsibility, though coordination with allies remains ongoing.

She also highlighted the economic implications of the crises, warning that rising oil prices are already affecting global markets and could increase living costs in Europe. At the same time, she expressed concern over potential disruptions to food supplies, particularly in Africa, if fertiliser shipments are blocked.

On broader regional issues, Kallas said the EU would also review developments in its southern neighbourhood and in Georgia, where she described the political situation as “getting more serious.”

Concluding her remarks, Kallas underscored the interconnected nature of global conflicts, saying security challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East are increasingly linked, requiring coordinated and sustained international responses.