BRUSSELS, Thursday, January 29, 2026 (WNP): European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, on Thursday warned that the international rules-based order is under severe strain, as the EU prepares tougher measures against Russia over its war in Ukraine and against Iran over human rights abuses and regional security concerns.

Speaking in Brussels ahead of a high-level meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas said the global outlook for 2026 was increasingly fragile, marked by prolonged conflict in Ukraine, instability across the Middle East, and shifting dynamics in transatlantic relations.

“The international rules-based order is under very much strain,” Kallas said, adding that geopolitical uncertainty and unresolved conflicts required a more coordinated and principled European response.

Ukraine featured prominently on the agenda, with Kallas casting doubt on Russia’s seriousness about peace negotiations. Referring to recent contacts in Abu Dhabi, she noted that Moscow was represented only by military personnel without a mandate to negotiate, which, she said, underscored a lack of genuine intent to pursue peace.

“Instead of negotiating, they are bombing Ukrainians, trying to bomb and freeze them into surrender,” she said, warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe as Ukraine endures a harsh winter.

Kallas said the EU was discussing additional energy support for Ukraine to help civilians cope with widespread damage to critical infrastructure. She also confirmed that the bloc would move to place Russia on its money-laundering blacklist, arguing that financial channels were being used to sustain the war effort.

“Any means to pressure Russia into real negotiations is good, and we are going forward with this,” she said.

Responding to questions about possible territorial concessions by Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees, Kallas stressed that Kyiv was not the aggressor and cautioned against shifting responsibility away from Moscow. She emphasized the need for credible and tangible security guarantees to ensure lasting peace and prevent renewed Russian attacks.

Turning to the Middle East, Kallas said Iran would be a central focus of EU discussions. She confirmed that new sanctions were being prepared against individuals and entities involved in violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters, citing what she described as a severe and unacceptable death toll.

In a significant escalation, Kallas said she expected EU ministers to agree on designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, placing it on the same footing as al-Qaeda, Hamas and Daesh.

“If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist,” she said, adding that the move would send a clear message that repression and systematic violence against civilians would carry consequences.

Addressing concerns that such a designation could disrupt European diplomatic missions in Iran, Kallas said the risks had been carefully assessed and that diplomatic engagement would remain outside the scope of the listing. “The estimate is that the diplomatic channels will remain open,” she said.

Beyond Iran, Kallas said ministers would also discuss Syria and Gaza, amid continuing violence and humanitarian challenges. She expressed particular concern over developments in northern Syria, including the security of displacement camps, and said the EU was consulting regional partners, including Iraq, on how to steer the situation in a more stable direction.

Africa’s Great Lakes region was also on the agenda, with discussions focusing on what more the EU could do to promote stability and prevent further escalation.

Asked whether Europe risked being sidelined in Ukraine-related talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine, Kallas said any viable agreement would require European involvement, noting that the war was being fought on Europe’s doorstep and that European states had carried much of the burden of supporting Ukraine.

She also rejected the idea of creating a separate “European army,” arguing that Europe already had established national armed forces, many integrated into NATO structures. Creating parallel command systems, she warned, could weaken clarity and effectiveness during crises.

Kallas also voiced concern over recent moves in Georgia to introduce more restrictive laws affecting NGOs, journalists, media and political actors. She said the EU, as a defender of human rights and press freedom, was expected to consider steps against those responsible for curbing democratic freedoms.

As EU foreign ministers prepared for in-depth deliberations, Kallas said the bloc’s core challenge remained the defence of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law—principles she warned were increasingly under threat not only in Ukraine, but across multiple global flashpoints.